
i 



:iOE IS CEIVTJS. 



DE WITT'S ACTING- PLAYS. 

(N urn bet- 200.) 




OTHELLO. 



A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS. 



By WIIiLIAM SHAKSPEARE. 

The pORRECT ^cting ^dition. 



Combined with which is the version as produced and played 
by the eminent Tragedian, Mr. Edwin Booth. The text 
carefully revised— Full and specially compiled Stage 
Directions accurately marked— Cast of Charac- 
ters—Scenery and Costumes — Properties, 
and Bill for Programmes, specially 
arranged and compiled. 



EDITED BY 



1 

Ihor 



JOHN M. KINGDOM, 

Author of " Marcoretti,^^ " The Fountain of Beauty,^* " A Lifers Ven- 
geance," " Tancred;' " The High Road of Life," " Which is 
My Htishand f" " The Old Ferry House," " Madeline," 
" Wreck of the Golden Mary,'' " The Three 
Musketeers," etc., etc. 




ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER 
No. 33 Hose Street. 



1^° A COMPLETE DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF DE WITT'S ACTINC 
PLAYS, AND DE WITT'S ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS, containing 
TAJ>Y I Plot, Costume, Scenery, Time of Representation, and every other infonna- 
tion, mailed free and post-paid. 



NOW 



1 




DE WITT'S ETHIOPUI ^ COHIC DHAMilS, 

Nothing so thorough and complete in the way of Ethioiiian and Comic Dramas has ever 
been printed as those that appear in the following list. Not only are the plots excellent, the 
characters droll, the incidents funny, the language humorous, but all the situations, by-play, 
positions, pantomimic business, scenery and tricks are so jJlainly set down, and clearly ex- 
2)lained, that the merest novice could put any of them on the stage. Included in this catalogue 
are all the most laughable and effective ineces of their class ever produced. 

*** If^ ordering, please copy the figures at the commencement of each play, which indicate 
the number of the piece in " De Witt's Ethiopian and Comic Drama.'" 

^P" Any of the following Plays sent, postage free, on receipt of price— \.^ Cents Xiach.. 

Address, ROBERT M. DE WITT, 

JV'o. 33 Hose Sit-eei, JVen> York, 

'^W The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of Scenes. The 
figures in the columns indicate the number of characters, — M. male ; V. female. 
*** Female characters are generally assumed by males in these plays. 



No. M. F. 

73. African Box, burlesque, 2 scenes. . . 5 
6. Black Chap from Whitechapel, 1 s. 4 

10. Black Chemist, sketch, 1 scene 3 

11. Black Ey'd William, 2 scenes 4 1 

24. Bruised and Cured, sketch, 1 scene. 2 

40. Big Mistake, sketch, 1 scene 4 

42. Bad Whiskey, sketch, 1 scene 2 1 

43. Baby Elephant, sketch, 2 scenes.. . 7 1 

78. Bogus Indian, sketch, 4 scenes 5 2 

79. Barney's Courtship, Irish, 1 scene. 1 1 

89. Bogus Talking Machine, Dutch 4 

35. Coal Heavers' Revenge, 1 scene.. 6 

41. Cremation, sketch, 2 scenes 8 1 

12. Daguerreotypes, sketch, 1 scene. ... 3 

50. Draft (The), sketch, 1 act, 2 scenes. 6 
53. Damon and Pythias, 2 scenes 5 1 

63. Darkey's Stratagem, sketch, 1 act. . 3 1 

64. Dutchman's Ghost, sketch, 1 scene. 4 1 
95. Dutch Justice, sketch, 1 scene 11 

4. Eh ? What is it ? sketch, 1 scene. ..41 
52. Excise Trials, sketch, 1 scene 10 1 

67. Editor's Troubles, farce, in 1 scene.. 6 

93. Elopement (The), farce, 2 scenes. . . 4 1 

25. Fellow That Looks Like Me, 1 s.. . . 2 1 

51. Fisherman's Luck, sketch, 1 scene. 2 
88. First Night, Dutch sketch, 4 scenes 4 2 

17. Ghost (The), sketch, 1 scene 2 

31. Glycerine Oil, sketch, 2 scenes 3 

20. Going for the Cup, interlude, 1 scene 4 
58. Ghost in a Pawnshop, 1 scene 4 

70. Guide to the Stage, sketcli, 1 scene. 3 
77. Getting Square on Call Boy, 1 scene 3 

82. Good Night's Rest, sketch, 1 scene 3 

83. German Emigrant, sketcli, 1 scene. 3 1 
83. Gi'ipsack, sketch, 1 scene 3 

3. Hemmed In, slcetch, 1 scene 3 1 

23. Hard Times, extravaganza, 1 scene. 5 1 
48. High Jaclv, the Heeler, 1 scene.. 6 
61. Happy Couple, sketch, 1 scene 2 1 

68. Hippotheatron, Si^etch, 1 scene 9 

71. In and Out, sketcli, 1 scene 2 

33. Jealous Husband, sketch, 1 scene 2 1 

94. Julius the Snoozer, 3 scenes 7 

1. Last of the Mohicms, 1 scene 3 1 

18. Live Injun, sketch, 4 scenes 4 1 

36. Laughing Gas, sketch, 1 scene 6 1 

37. Lucky Job, farce, 2 scenes 3 2 

60. Lost Will, sketch, 1 scene 4 

90. Lunatic (Tlie), sketch, 1 scene 3 

8. Mutton Trial, sketch. 2 scenes 4 

19. Malicious Trespass, sketch, 1 scene. 3 



No. M. F. 

44. Musical Servant, sketch, 1 scene... 3 
96. Midnight Intruder (The), 1 scene. . 6 1 

101. Molly Moriarty, Irish, 1 scene 1 1 

49. Night in a Strange Hotel, 1 scene 2 

22. Obeying Orders, sketch, 1 scene... 2 1 

27. 100th Night of Hamlet, 1 scene 7 1 

30. One Night in a Bar Room, 1 scene 7 
76. One, Two, Three, sketch, 1 scene.. 7 

9. Policy Players, sketch, 1 scene 7 

57. Pompey's '^•"atients, 2 scenes 6 

65. Porter's Troubles, sketch, 1 scene.. 6 1 
63. Port Wine vs. Jealousy, 1 scene.. 2 1 
87. Pete the Peddlar, sketch, 1 scene.. 2 1 

91. Painter's Apprentice (The), 1 s^ene 5 

92. Polar Bear (The,) farce, 1 scene 5 

14. Recruiting Ofiice, sketch, 2 scenes. 5 
26. Rival Tenants, sketch, 1 scene 4 

45. Remittance from Home, 1 scene... 6 

55. Rigging a Purchase, 1 scene. , 2 

81. Rival Artists, sketch, 1 scene 3 

7. Stupid Servant, sketch, 1 scene 2 

13. Streets of New York, sketch, 1 scene 6 

15. Sam's Courtship, farce, 1 scene 2 1 

80. Scenes on the Mississippi, 2 scenes. 6 

84. Serenade (Tne), sketch, 2 scenes... 7 
21. Scampini, pantomime, 2 scenes 6 3. 

16. Storming the Fort, sketch, 1 scene. 5 

38. Siamese Twins, sketch, 2 scenes... 5 

46. Slippery Day, sketch, 1 scene ' 

53. Stage Struck Couple (The), 1 scene. 
59. Sausage Makers (The), sketch, 2 s. . 
69. Squire for a Day, sketch, 1 scene. . . L 
72. Stranger (The), sketch, 1 scene 1 j. 

74. Sleepwalker (The), sketch, 2 scenes 3 
100. Three Chiefs (The), sketch, 2 scenes 6 

102. Three, A. M.. sketch, 1 scene 3 1 

5. Two Black Roses (The), sketch.... 4 1 
2. Tricks, sketch, 2 scenes 5 2 

34. Three Strings to One Bow, 1 scene. 4 1 
■ 47. Take It. Don't Take It, sketch, 1 s. 2 
51. Tiiem Papers, sketch, 1 scene 3 

28. Uncle Eph's Dream, sketch, 2 s ... 3 1 
62. Vinegar Bitters, sketch, one scene. 6 1 

29. Who Died First, sketch, 1 scene. . . 3 1 
32. Wake up, William Henry, 1 scene.. 3 

39. Wanted, a Nurse, sketch, 1 scene.. 5 

75. Weston the Walkist, Dutch 1 scene 7 1 

93. What Shall I Take ? sketch, 2 scenes 8 1 
97. Who's the Actor ? fai'ce, 1 scene. . . 4 
99. Wrong Woman in the Right Place 3 1 

85. Young Scamp (The), sketch, 1 scene 3 



OTHELLO. 



% ^rageirg, 



IN FIVE ACTS. 



BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEAEE. 



THE CORRECT ACTING EDITION, 



/.mvn.T^n7T> WTTH WHICH IS THE VERSION AS PRODUCED AND 

pl™ Jy ra ^eminent tragedian, mr. edwin booth. 

ThI TEXT c1rEFULI.Y REVISED-EULL AND SPECIALLY 
COMPILED STAGE DIRECTIONS ACCURATELY MARK- 
ED-CAST OF CHARACTERS-SCENERY AND COS- 
TUMES-PROPERTIES -AND BILL FOR PRO- 
GRAMMES, SPECIALLY ARRANGED 
AND COMPILED. 



EDITED BY 



JOHN M. KINGDOM, . 

Author of <'Marcorem- ^' The Fountain of Beauty,- "^ Liff^^ Yengeame; 

" ^ancZr " The High Road of Life,- " Which is my Husband?- 

''The Old Ferry House,- ''Madeline,- " Wreck of the Golden 

Mary,- " The Three Musketeers,- etc,, etc. 



rns^i^,^' 



NEW YORK; 
ROBERT M. DE WITT, PtfBLISHEE, 

No. 33 Rose Street. 

, (BETWEEN DTJAKE AND FRANKFORT STREETS.) 



Copyright, 1876, by Robert M. De Witt. 



OTHELLO. 



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SCENERT. 

ACT L, Seme 1.— Venice. A street. The flats in the Sd grooves represent a 
winding street with an archway, c, and houses beyond. Across k. 3 e., in a slant- 
ing direction, the front of a house with practicable door and window ; balcony 
above with a window opening on to it. B. 2. e., another house. Similar houses 
represented by the wings> l. 

Scene j2.— Venice. Another street. The flats closing in on 2d grooves, represent 
a row of houses with practicable door, r. 

Scene 3.— Venice. A council chamber. The flats in the 4tlt grooves represent 
the interior of a heavily carved and decorated chamber, with archways r. and l. 3 
E., in a slanting direction, hung with tapestry. Paintings fill the spaces. At the 
back, c, a slightly raised platform and state chair for the Duke ; in front of it table 
With velvet covering and rich chairs. 

ACT TI.., Scene 1.— Cyprus. An open place near the Quay. The flats in the 4th 
gi-ooves represent the opposite shores of a harbor which is supposed to occupy the 
space between the 3d and 4th grooves. A broad platform representing the footway 
at the edge of the quay, stretches across from r. 3 e. to l. 3 e., with a flight of 
three broad steps in the centre. An ancient gateway in a slanting direc- 
tion, R. 2 E. 

Scene 2.— Cyprus. , The guard house before the castle. The flats closing in on 
the 2d grooves, represent a massive stone building with heavy practicable doors 
R. and L. 

ACT IIL, xSlce^ie 1.— Cyprus. A room in the castle. The flats set in the 4th 
grooves represent a gallery in front of which stretching across the stage is a raised 
platform or passage, the descent from which is by a fliglit of three steps in the 
centre. At r. 3 e. is an arched doorway, and near l. 3 e. a cushioned seat, the 
flats and wings, richly decorated, denote a handsome apartment. 

Scene 2.— Another apartment in the castle. The flats closing in on the 2d grooves 
represent the interior of a similar room. 

ACT' IV., Scene l.—CyT^xxis. An apartment in the castle. The flats set in the 
2d grooves represent the mterior of a pannelled chamber with paintings, arms, etc. 

Scene 2. — Another apartment m the castle. The flats in the 4th grooves, and the 
wings represent a similar room, but of a richer kind. Gilded and velvet chairs 
about, and a couch near l. 3 e. to be pushed a little forward as the scene opens. 
An archway c, with heavy curtains richly embroidered. 

Scene 3.— Cyprus. The castle gates. The flats closing in on the first grooves 
represent a massive stone wall, battlements and gateway, c. 

Scene 4.— A street in Cyprus. The flats set in the 3d grooves represent a street in 
perspective. On the right in a slanting direction across r. 2 and 3 e., the front of 
a house, the shutters closed, door at b. 3 E. and pillars on either side. Night 
time. 

ACT F., -SJcewe 1.— Cyprus, A bed-chamber in the castle. The flats set in the 



4o. 



Window. 



»v 3e. 



B. 2e. 



Door. 



Couch. 



Table. 
Chair. * \J 



Bedstead, etc., 
and Footboard. 



4g. 



Table and : 

O : 

Chair.* Lamp, ; l. 3 e. 



L. 2e. 



■R. 1 E. 



L. 1 E. 



4 OTHELLO. 

4th grooves represent one side of a richly pannelled and tapestried chamber. 
In the centre a large latticed window with varied colored glass, through which 
the moonlight is seen. On the left of the window a tahle with lighted lamp and 
books upon it, a chair by the side. In a slanting direction, l., a massive bedstead, 
hung with rich tapestry; near it, l. c, table and chair. A foot-board or step, with 
crimson carpet, runs alongside the bedstead. A couch between k. 3 and 2 e. The 
side K, is closed in, representing another side of the room. A door b. u. e. 



PERIOD-ABOUT 1570. 



The scene of events lays in the City of Venice in the First Act ; afterwards in 
the Island of Cyprus. 



COSTUMES. 



Ot-RTsvLo. —First Dress, Act 1 : A Moorish cloak of scarlet, with white sarsenet 
robe ; rich blue satin vest, buttoned down with gold buttons ; blue silk girdle 
and richly ornamented sword and dagger ; chocolate-colored pantaloons and 
sandals. The skin of a dark, swarthy nature, but not too much so. Second 
Dress, Act 2 : A gown or loose garment of crimson velvet, with loose sleeves, 
over it a rich mantle of cloth of gold, buttoned over the shoulder with mas- 
sive gold buttons ; blue silk girdle ; sword and dagger ; cap of crimson velvet ; 
silver baton ; pantaloons as before ; rich sandals ; heavy gold neck chain an4 
medalion. Third Dress, Act 5 ; A long white cloth mantle or night robe; 
loosely fastened at the neck, beneath which is a scarlet silk Jacket partially 
open ; white muslin shirt ; silk girdle, sword, dagger, dark pantaloons, morocco 
sandals. 

Iago.— Black and orange colored jacket with hanging sleeves, richly embroidered ; 
black trunks, embroidered ; russet boots ; black hat and plume of feathers, 
white : scarlet silk sash ; sword and dagger. 

Cassio. — A light brown colored velvet jacket, with blue silk lining ; scarlet under- 
jacket, embroidered, as also the buff colored pataloons ; russet boots, blue 
silk sash, sword, black velvet hat and white feathers. 

RoDERiGO.— Light blue jacket, lined with amber silk ; red velvet trunks, and doub- 
let slightly trimmed with lace ; belt and sword, russet boots, hat and feather. 

Duke of Venice.— Black velvet cloak trimmed with ermine ; crimson jacket, 
richly embroidered ; dark trunks, puffed with white satin ; white silk panta- 
loons and white shoes ; coronet. 

Brabantio.— Brown silk doublet and trunks, ptrffed with white satin ; brown 
velvet cloak with ricli embroidery ; white silk pantaloons and white shoes. 

Gratiano.— Dark blue A'elvet doublet and cloak; trunks puffed with scarlet satin ; 
white silk pantaloons and shoes ; sword, hat and feather. 

MoNTAKO.— Dark cloth jacket and cloak ; trunks pujffed with amber satin, all 
trimmed with silver ; white pantaloons and shoes ; sword, black hat and, 
feather. 

Aktonio. — Blue jacket, white waistcoat and pantaloons, trimmed with silver ; rus- 
set boots ; sword, hat and feather. 

LoDovico, Senators, etc. — Similar kind of dress, but varied in color, quality and 
adornment. 

Servants. — Brown and chocolate colored cloth doublets, embroidered ; puffed 
trunks, gray pantaloons ; shoes, white collars, and puffed out or muflln-shaped 
velvet caps. 



OTHEIiLO. 5 

"Dbsd^mo-sAl.— First Dress, Act 1: White satin, richly trimmed with silver, pearls, 
etc., and with rich white and silver drapery of lace, etc.; ornaments ; white 
satin shoes. Second Dress, Act 2 : Rich blue satin dress ; silver trimmings, 
pearls, etc. ; lace veil, mantle, etc. ; white shoes. Third Dress, Act 5 : Muslin 
night-dress, trimmed with lace. 

Emilia. — Black velvet dress with open skirt, trimmed with white lace, and lace 
undersleeves ; black shoes. 



PROPERTIES. 



ACT I., Scene 1. — Torches for Beabantio's servants. Scene 2 : Torches ; weapons 
for officers. Scene 3 : Massive table, with rich velvet covering ; chair of state 
to correspond ; eight or more chairs for Gratiano and Senators ; parchments 
and writing materials laid about on the table ; letters with seals for messenger. 

ACT n., Scene 1.— Bell for striking. Scene 2: Wine vases and goblets; torches 
for servants. 

ACT III., Scene 1. — A handsomely carved and gilded seat or lounge, covered with 
crimson velvet ; rich lace handkerchief embroidered for Desdemona, and 
marked with devices. 

ACT IV., Scene 2. — Handsomely gilded and massively carved chairs, with crimson 
velvet seats ; a couch of similar kind ; letter with seal for Lodovico ; Scene 4 : 
Torch for Iago ; small hand-lamp lighted for Emilia. 

ACT v., Scene 1.— Moonlight scene ; an antique table with heavy cloth of dark 
velvet over it ; a chamber lamp lighted ; books upon the table ; three chairs 
of antique style, covered with green velvet ; a second sword for Othello. 
"Rich bedstead hung with heavy tapestry ; pillows and furniture ; raised car- 
peted steps by the side ; a small table ; couch to match chairs ; Desdemona's 
handkerchief to bind round Cassio's leg ; three letters open for Lodovico. 



BILL FOR PROGRAMMES. 

ACT I. 

Scene I.— A STREET IN VENICE. 

Iago's ambition thwarted — A Rival's Success— A Scheme of Revenge — Brabantio 
informed of his Daughter's Flight — A Father's Anger — The Pursuit. 

Scene II.— ANOTHER STREET IN VENICE. 

Iago's Cunning — A False Friend — A Message from the Duke — ^Meeting of Braban- 
tio and Othello — A Conflict Prevented— An Appeal to the Senate. 

Scene III.— THE COUNCIL CHAMBER IN THE DUKE'S PALACE. 

The Senators in Conference — News of War — Othello's Aid called for — The Father's 
Accusation of his Daughter's Abduction — Othello's Grand Address to the 
Senate — Guilty or not Guilty, let Desdemona decide — Father or Husband — 
Othello Conquers — Departure for War — Iago's Plot of Vengeance — The Trap 
laid and the Game started ! 

ACT II. 

Scene I.— CYPRUS. AN OPEN PALACE NEAR THE SEA. 

Arrival of the New Governor, Othello— Iago's fancy Picture of Women — His 
Plot thickens— His Story of Desdemona's Love for Cassio— The Plan to Trap 
him. 



6 OTHELLO. 

Scene n.— CYPETJS. THE GUARD HOUSE BEFOEE THE CASTLE. 

Posting of the Night Watch — Cassio in charge — Gallants of Cyprus — Treachery of 

Iago — Cassio Falls into the Snare — A Drunken Brawl — The Wine Cup works 

its Evil — Arrival of Othello — Duplicity of Iago— Dismissal and Disgrace of 

Cassio. , 

ACT III. 

Scene I.— CYPRUS. A ROOM IN THE CASTLE. 
Cassio appeals to Desdemona to intercede for his Pardon — Othello's Suspicions — 
Iago's Insinuation rouses his Jealousy— The Fire Kindles— The Charmed Hand- 
kerchief— Emilia's Prize and Iago's Tiiumph— " 1 will in Cassio's lodging lose 
this napkin " — Sudden Arrival of Othello— Jealousy and Suspicion at work — 
Anger, Revenge and Grief— " Othello's Occupation's gone !"— Duplicity of 
Iago— The Compact— Return of Desdebiona— The Search for the Handker- 
chief— Othello demands it— A Plea for Cassio in vam. The Plot thickens. 

ACT IV. 

Scene L— CYPRUS. AN APARTMENT IN THE CASTLE. 
Othello's Grief and Agony— A Message from the Senate — Recall to Venice. 

Scene II.— ANOTHER APARTMENT IN THE CASTLE. 
Othello's Suspicions at work— Emilia's Story—'" She is honest, I swear "—Arrival 
of Desdemona — Othello's fierce Accusations and indignant Denial— The 
Handkerchief ! Where is it ?— Again Iago's Treachery — He suggests Cassio's 
Death— RoDEKiGofalls into the Trap. 

Scene III.— A STREET IN CYPRUS. 
The Assassins in Ambush— Attack upon Cassio— The Fight— A Stab in the Dark— 
Cassio Wounded— Treachery again at Work— Iago Makes his Sword Useful — 
Death of Roderigo. 

ACT V. 

Scene I.— CYPRUS. A BED-CHAMBER IN THE CASTLE. 
Desdemona Sleeping in Innocence— Othello's Dark Designs— Madness, Love and 
Vengeance— He Awakes Her— The Accusation and the Threat — Protestations of 
Innocency — Pillow and Dagger — Murder of Desdemona — Arrival of Emilia- 
Othello's Alarm — Story of Desdemona's Truth and Virtue — Othello's 
Agony, and Discomfiture of Iago— Death of Emilia— Villainy Exposed— Arrest 
of Iago— Pathetic Appeal of the Moor— The Hidden Sword— Resistance too 
Late— Death of Othello, 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R. means Right of Stage, facing the Audience ; L. Left ; C. Centre ; R. C. Right 
of Centre ; L. C. Left of Centre. D. F. Door in the Flat, or Scene running across 
the back of the Stage ; C. D. F. Centre Door in the Flat ; R. D. F. Right Door in 
the Flat ; L. D. F. Left Door in the Flat ; R. D. Right Door ; L. D. Left Door ; 1 
E. First Entrance ; 2 E. Second Entrance ; U. E. Upper Entrance ; 1, 8 or 3 G. 
First, Second or Thh-d Groove. 

R. R. C. C. L. C. L. 

j^° The reader is supposed to be upon the Stage, facing the Audience. 



OTHELLO. 



STORY OF TEE FLAT. 

The tragedy of Othello was first produced in the year 1602 The general idea of 
the play was evidently gained from the seventh novel of the third decade of Cinthio's 
"Heccatommithi." It has been doubted by most of Shakspeare's commentators 
whether he was sufficiently acquainted with the Italian to have read this book in 
the original. Certain it is that no proof that it was ever printed in English has como 
down to us. The facb however, appears to have escaped the vigilance of ShakspcLi- 
rian scholars that it is quite likely ihat many translations that never reached the 
press may have circulated in manuscript from hand to hand in the then infaocy and 
expensiveness of printing ; as we have in our own time known the bulk of music 
to have been transferred from musician to amateur, and vice vsrsa^ by copying with 
the "gray goose quill." 

It is strange, but the very title gives a foretaste of the character of the hero. 
There is something full, round, grand, and withal musical in its very utterance. If 
the portico is so fine, what must the temple itself be ? This piece would have set 
the sigiftt of immortality on the brow of any poet. It is justly esteemed the mas- 
terpiece of the Swan of Avon. Its multitudinous excellencies have only been ap- 
proached by himself. They surpass the works of any others Complex as seems the 
character of the Moor, it appears, on more attentive analysis, to be as simp'e as; 
fancy ever imagined or genius ever depicted. His large, generous unsuspici 'us soul 
is formed in the most manly and lieroic mould ; while his almost womanly tender- 
ness of heart is jast as natural. His b^arin^ and gesturjs are as grand as his fea- 
tures arc nobla aad benevolent. Born amid " antres vast," and sataratod with the 
strong and burning passions of his southern home, ho is yet 

'• Nob easily jealous ; but being wrought, perplexed in the extreme." 

What in one of a different temperament would seem unlikely, forced, unnatural, 
in one of his ardent, fiery temper appears, and is, perfectly consistent. His con- 
sciously great heurt is undisturbed by the smaller angers and griefs of daily life. He 
resembles one of those monstrous Druidical stones, which the little finger of a child 
can gently move to and fro , but let any great impulse be given it, and it topples 
from its base, crushing everything, flowers and rocks alike, that stand in the way of 
its destructive course. The gentle Desdemona is a creation that equally shows forth 
the genius of the dramatist Had there been the shghtest signs of petulance— had 
she given her furious lord one cross word, we should have failed to love with our 
heart of hearts this gracious martyr. 

Everything is apt and proper in place, plot, character, and circumstance of this 
tragedy. Venice, the wedded Queen of the Adriatic, 

*' "Where her loved court the blushing Venus keeps, 
And Cupids ride the lion of the deeps," 

was the exact spot that a poet would have chosen to bring together the dramatis 
personse of his drama. Here were to be found, not imagined, the stately Senator, 
the fierce-blooded Moor, the accomplished soldier-gentleman, ( 'assio ; the intriguinir, 
heartless lago, and the other characters that are so admirably and effectively con- 
trasted or grouped in the piece. 

Othello held high command in the armies of the proud city of the Doges Return- 
ing victorious he had been hailed with acclamation, and the portals of the princely 
palaces flew open at his approach. A trusted Senator, BrabanLio, greatiy aff.jcted 
his company, and in compliance with li 5 host's request, Otiiello often related the 
events of \.\s. stormy life. Desdemona, tlie fair daughter of the Senator, fell in love 
with the dusky hero: for Othello was of Moorish origin. The soldier, pleased at her 
evident liking for him, found " a pliant hour," and declared his love, and "married 



8 OTHELLO. 

her." Her father, terribly incensed at the match, brought the subject before the 
Senate ; but the necessities of State demanded that Othello should at once hasten to 
Cyprus, where the Crescent threatened peril to the Cross. The General immediately- 
embarked, leaving Desdemona to follow after with lago, his " ancient " (an of&cer 
combining the modern duties of a secretary, treasurer, and major-domo). Attached 
to Othello's troops was an accomplished gentleman and skillful officer, Michael Cas- 
sio ; while a weak-minded fop, Roderigo, of whom lago had borrowed money, also 
accompanied the expedition. Arrived in Cyprus, the brave General was soon joined 
by his hotisehold, under lago's care. Desdemona, bringing with her Emilia, the wife 
of lago. Exasperated at Othello having promoted Cassio to be his lieutenant in- 
stead of himself, and desiring to gratify his envy and spite, the wily ancient pro- 
ceeded to weave his devilish web to ensnare every one that he hated. He contrives 
to involve Cassio and Eoderigo in a fierce quarrel at night. Cassio, being inflamed 
with wine, finds the fop's insults unbearable, and draws upon his assailant, who al- 
ready has his steel unsheathed. While they are rapidly giving and taking thrusts, 
lago orders the alarm bells to be rung, and Othello rushes in, sword in hand, to dis- 
cover what has 

' Frighted the isle from its propriety." 

Cassio, sobered and speechless, stands aloof, while lago, with apparent reluctance, 
tells how he came in and found Cassio and Eoderigo fighting, and before he could stay 
them the alarm was given. The Moor, justly indignant that his trusted lieutenant 
should have committed so unpardonable a breach of military discipline in a garri- 
soned town, sorrowfully says to him : 

" Cassio, I love thee ! 
But never more be officer of mine." 

Iago» apparently out of zealous friendship, advises Cassio to apply to Desdemona 
to persuade her husband to revoke his sentence of dismissal. Pure, and unsuspect- 
ing, Desdemona innocently plays into the ruthless villain's hands ; allows Cassio to 
see and converse alone with her, while lago instils the deadly poison of jealousy into 
the Moor's veins. Everything appears to justify Othello's belief in the inconstancy 
of his wife. Desdemona's constant appeals to him to forpive Cassio, and even the 
slight fact of Desdemona having lost a peculiar handkerchief, which in truth Emilia 
had purloined and given to her husband, but which lago tells Othello he found in 
the secret possession of Cassio. The Moor tries to reason with himself. He pictures 
Desdemona freely giving him her young heart, and abandoning her home and pa- 
rent for his sake— but then he recalls bis own demerits ; his dark skin, "the livery 
of the burning sun ;" his age, for he " was somewhat declined in the vale of years. " 
But ever as the scale turns in favor of his fair wife's innocence, the crafty lago is 
always at hand to " pour the leprous distUlment of suspicion into his ear." The soul 
of the fiery Moor is like a tempest-tost bai k. pitched about by conflicting elements till 
he almost becomes maddened with the mental strife. At last he settles to a belief of 
Desdemona's guilt, and then he proceeds with almost judicial calmness to destroy 
her, " lest she betray more men." Bidding her retire for the night in an imperative 
tone, the fond wife obediently obeys him. Emilia, who had seen jealous husbands 
before, tells her that her lord is jealous. But she, innocent heart, tries to justify 
Othello's cruelty, by imagining affairs of State as having vexed him. Othello fol- 
lows her to their chamber, and bursts out into furious accusations— her truthful re- 
plies go for nothing— and after bidding her say her prayers to Heaven, he fiercely 
smothers her with her pillow, and she falls back seemingly lifeless— not daring to 
use a dagger, for he would 

" Not shed her blood ; 
Nor scar that whiter skin of her's than snow, 
And smooth as monumental alabaster." 

Hardly has the sacrifice bean consummate!, b3foro Emilia thunders at the door. 
After some hesitation he admits her. She comes to tell him thet Eoderigo has been 
slain by Cassio. Then Emilia hears the almost inarticulate moaning of her mistress. 



OTHELLO. 9 

She rushes to the bed, and implores Desdemona to tell her "who has done this?" 
The dying wife exonerates her husband, and says to Emilia, '* Commend me to my 
kind lord. Farewell." Emilia fiercely rates Othello, laughs scornfully at his asser- 
tions of Desdeiftona's faithlessness, and shows how he has been tricked by consum- 
mate villainy. Then she gives the alarm, loudly denouncing Othello as the murderer 
of his wife. Many officers rush in— lago included— when Emilia reveals her hus- 
band's crimes; he stabs her, and is in turn stabbed by Othello, who has become con- 
vinced of his ancient's perfidy. Othello is placed under arrest, but eluding the vigi- 
lance of his guards, he drives a blade into his breast, and as he falls upon the bed of 
his murdered wife, exclaims : 

" I kissed thee e'er I killed thee ; no way but this, 
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss 1" 



REMARKS. 



To dwell or descant upon the beauties of Shakspeare is like trying to gild refined 
gold and to paint the lily. Throughout his works we find lines and sentiments ad- 
apt^ to every circumstance, and they are with the educated class as familiar in their 
mouths as household words— so universally is his power recognized. 

In compiling the present edition of his works the object is not to supply a series 
for closet perusal (of this kind indeed the name is legion), but to furnish an acting 
version of each play, based upon the admitted best stage editions hitherto produced, 
accompanied by the stage business and arrangements, corrected to the present time 
compiled from careful study of the text and dose observations of the rendering of 
each work by the most eminent actors. 

Only in a very few instances is any deviation made from the original text. In 
Shakspeare's time language and action were accorded a looseness which would not now 
be tolerated, and words and sentences were freely rendered in the highest ranks 
of society which would now grate harshly and offensively upon the ear of decency. 
In such instances, therefore, I have changed a word or two, not destroying the intent 
or meaning, but conveying it in a milder and less offensive manner. 

The universally recognized stage edition of Shakspeare's plays is that known as 
the '• Cumberland Edition," after the name of the publisher, and who, during his 
career, some years since, brought out the best acting edition of plays ever published 
up to that time ; but very far indeed behind, in every respect, to the edition of plays 
of which this one forms a portion. 

The " Cumberland " edition will form the basis of the present one, accompanied 
by notes, showing how it has been, and is, occasionally departed frora or added to by 
some of the leading tragedians, thus affording, it is hoped, one of the most perfect 
editions ever published, and interesting and useful both to the general reader and to 
the professional. 

In tho present instance 1 have blended the version as adopted and rendered by 
Mr. Edwin Booth. No confusion can ensue from this, the arrangement being very 
simpie ; portions which he omits are denoted by inverted commas, and alterations and 
additions made by him appear in foot notes. 

The j)lay was first produced at the Globe Theatre, London, Richard Burbadge,. 
actor and artist, being the original Othello. 

Almost every eminent tragedian that has graced the boards in either Great Britain 
or the United States has essayed, with more or less success, the difficult but desirable 
role of the Moor of Venice. A mere catalogue of the principal actors that have ap- 
peared as Olhello would include the following. Many more might be added 'Mill 
the line stretched out until the crack of doom," but these will suffice : Belterton, 
Booth (there have been three great actors of the name), Garrick, Macklin, John 
Komble, Geo. Frederick Cooke, Charles Young, Macready, Edmund Kean, Cooper, 
the elder Conway, Gustavus V. Bjooke, Phelps, James Wallack, Hambiin, and 



10 OTHELLO. 

among the very greatest, if not the greatest, Edwin Forrest, whose imposing appear- 
ance, magnificent voice, expressive Countenance, and grand conception, realized the 
Bhakspearian description of the Danish Monarch's appearance, 

" Where every god did seem to set his seal 
To give the world assurance of a man*" 

In approaching now the most recent representation of this play— that at the Fifth 
Ave. Theatre in Nov., 1876 — I tread upon dangerous ground, having to deal with a 
gentleman of culture and grace, of wide-world fame, and the ruling favorite of the 
people, Mr. Edwin Booth. Let me plunge into the thick at once. I watched his 
performance intently and carefully, but I failed to find in it, as a whole, the repre- 
sentative of Shakspeare's ideal— swayed by passions powerful, intense, and explo- 
sive, requiring extraordinary vocal energy, and a fierce excitability of temper, mak- 
ing him appear as he should be, a giant by the side of lago. But in some parts the 
actor was magnificent. In Act II., Scene 2, where lago tells him the artfully woven 
story of the street brawl, and Othello, receiving it as truth, dismisses Cassio, the 
words he utters though f ew— 

'• Cassio, I love thee ! 
But never more be oflS.cer of mine," 

I never heard more beautifully rendered— producing a thrilling effect— so simple, yet 
so grand. Then again in Act III., Scene 1, 

" I had been happy if the general camp. 
Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body, 
So I had nothing known," 



terminating with — 



" Othello's occupation's gone !" 



The effect was really marvellous ; the deep pathos thrown into the whole speech, and 
the fearful tones of the grief of a powerful spirit completely crushed, as denoted by 
the last line, was magnificently depicted. 

But the grandest effort was in Act III., Scene 1, where lago gradually works up 
the jealous and fiery nature of the Moor until he induces him to compass her death.: 

" Come, go with me apart : I Vill withdraw 
To furnish me with some swift means of death 
For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant. 
" Iago. I am your own forever ;" 

forming the grand climax to as powerfully acted a scene as I ever witnessed. 

Again, in the last Act — where Othello is contemplating the mode of Desdemona's 
death, and observes : 

" Put out the light, and then — put out the light ?" 

The pause made in the delivery of this line is one of the finest and most suggestive 
ones it is possible to conceive. It conveys so clearly the intensity of feeling in the 
Moor's mind— though he has determined to do the deed, yet with all his courage and 
the stern, unflinching resolution of a soldier^ he feels it tnust be done in the dark ; 
but this conviction startles his calmness, and suddenly pictures to him the awful 
crime he contemplates— the putting out of the light of life which can never be re- 
stored. 

In this line, as indeed in the whole of the speech, Edwin Booth is beautiful, pathet- 
ic, even grand. Beyond these instances I saw nothing particular to note. His 
lago, however, is quite a different thing. It is a grand performance ; in my opinion 
tl)o best upon the stage, and I confidently believe that in this character he stands 
unrivalled ; at any rate with many years' experience I have never seen a better one. 

J. M. K. 

Note.— The additions, omissions, and alterations of Mr. Booth's version, are 
shown by the foot notes. 



OTHELLO. 11 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE A UTHOB. 

Although but little more than three centuries have passed since the " sweet 
Swan of Avon " appeared to forever immortalize that soft flowing stream, scarcely 
more of Shakspeare's personal history is known than is left to us of the lives of Hafiz 
or Homer. What makes this fact appear the more strange is that he flourished at a 
time, and among contemporaries, when everything pertaining to literature was in 
its most glorious fruition. Our author appears to have been either entirely indiffer- 
ent to the opinions of posterity, or else so certain of his claims to immortality, that 
he could afford to " whistle them down the wind." The few facts connected with the 
parentage, birth, life and death of the greatest poet the world has ever seen may be 
very briefly related; indeed, his own "Seven Ages " almost tell his history. Wil- 
liam Shaksi)eare was born in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, in 'Warwickshire, 
England, on the 23d day of April, A. D. 1564. His father, John Shaksjieare, had held 
several important local oflaces in his native town, among them high baliff, or Mayor 
of the Corporation of Stratford. At one time he had been justice of the peace, 
which s^ws that he was a man held in esteem by his fellow townsmen, and by the 
ruling powers of his country. By occupation John Shakspeare was a dealer in wool, 
which was then a staple production in England ; so much so, that to this day the 
Chancellor of England sits upon the wool-sack when governing the House of Lords. 
Tradition says that he also carried on business as a butcher. Thiis is by no means 
improbable, though it may have grown out of the fact that his wool biiying business 
would naturally bring him in contact with that class of tradesmen. 

John Shakspeare's wife was the daughter of Robert Arden, of "Wellingcote, in the 
County of Warwick. Her family was one of the best in the county, some of its 
members having honorably filled trusted positions Tlie great dramatist was the 
eldest son, and received his education at a free school. Of the extent of that educa- 
tion nothing is absolutely known ; and the surmises of his greatest commentators are 
of no value, as their conclusions are entirely contradictory of each other. Certain it 
is that there are few things in *' heaven and earth " that he was not acquainted with, 
and that when he had " exhausted worlds he then created new." Much has been 
written about his " illiterature," but this fact remains unchallenged, that the most 
learned professors of the English language since his day have never been able to 
transmute a page of his writings into sweeter, stronger, or more expressive words. 
In his eighteenth year Anne Hatheway became his bride. The lady was eight years 
his senior, and was the daughter of a well-to-do yeoman in the neighborhood of his 
home. Many concurring traditions represent his early married life as being some- 
what unsettled. He is accused of being accessory, with some lawless comrades, in 
the stealing of deer from the park of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecotte. This led to 
his prosecution, upon which he left Warwick for London. Previous to which, how- 
ever, he lashed Sir Thomas in a ballad, probably his first metrical production. The 
year 1586 is fixed upon, after the most dilligent investigation, as that in which Shaks- 
peare Eemoved from the banks of the Avon to those of the Thames. The stories vary 
as to how Shakspeare first came to be attached (o the theatre. The s'ory of his holding 
horses at the door for visitors is now discarded from its many inherent improbabili- 
ties ; he very quickly made his wonderful qualities appai-ent Very soon his plays 
attracted notice of many persons, eminent alike for rank and talent. Ciueen Eliza- 
beth herself frequently witnessed and approved his pieces : the princely Earl of 
Southampton was at once his admirer and beneficent friend, while King James the 
First sent him a letter of thanks, penned by his own hand. Not only was Shaks- 
peare applauded as a writer, but he was much loved as a man, and appears to have 
been of a very companionable disposition. His contemporaries, when they do &peak 
of him, invariably speak iu a kindly manner. It must be borne in mind that nearly 



12 OTHELLO, 

all the poet's contemporaneous authors were men of extensive, and in many instan 
of profound learning. To excel such men shows him to have possessed qualities < 
ceptionably great. The latter years of Shakspearc's life were spent in pleasant- 
tirement, amid books, fiiends, and surrounded by those beauties of nature that 
had known so well how to appreciate and depict. 

William Shakspeare died on his birthday, Tuesday, April 23d, 1616 ; the fifty- s 
ond year of his life being then but just completed, and he was buried in the gn 
parish church of Stratford. One of his acquaintances records of him, that " he v 
a handsome and well-shaped man," and adds, " very good company, and of a vt 
ready, and pleasant smooth wit." 

Shakspeare's family consisted of two daughters and a son. But in the third g( 
eration his family became extinct. 

No less than thirty-seven plays are acknowledged to have been written by c 
author, and many more are attributed to him on questionable authority. 

It has been justly said that the stream of Time which washes away the dissolul 
munumeata o£ other poets> passes unharmed the adamantine fabric of Shakspear 
fame. 



OTHELLO. 



ACT I. 

SCENE I. — Venice. A street. 

Miter Iago and Roderigo, l. 2 e. 

RoDERiGO (l. c.)- Tush, ne'er tell me, I take it much unkindly, 

That thou, Iago — who hast had my purse, 

As if the strings were thine — should'st know of this. 
Iago (r. c). You will not hear me ; 

If ever I did dream of such a matter, 

Abhor me. 
Rod. I Thou told'st me, thou didst hold him in thy hate, 

Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, 

In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, 

Oft capped to him ; and, by the faith of man, 

I know my price ! I am worth no worse a place ; 

But he, as loving his own pride and purposes. 

Evades them, with a bombast circumstance, 

Horribly stuffed Avith epithets of war ; 

And, in conclusion, nonsuits 

My mediators ; for certes, says he, 

I have already chose my officer / 

And what was he 1 

Forsooth, a great arithmetician, 

One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, 

A fellow 

That never set a squadron in the field. 

Nor the division of a battle knows 

More than a spinster — 

He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, 

And I (Heaven bless the mark !), his Moorship's ancient. 
Rod. By Heaven, I rather would have been his hangman ! 
Iago. Now, sir, be judge yourself, 

Whether I in any just term am affined 

To love the Moor. 
Rod. I would not follow him, then, 

Iago. Oh, sir, content you ; 



14 OTHELLO. f ACT I. 

I follow him, to serve my turn upon him ;* 

Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, 

But seeming so, for my peculiar end ; 

For when luy outward action does demonstrate 

The native act and figure of my heart 

In compliment extern, 'tis not long after 

But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve 

For daws to peck at ; I am not what I am. 
Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips own, 

If he can carry it thus ! 
Iago. Call up her father, 

Rouse him ; make after him, poison his delightf 

Though that his joy be joy, 

Yet throw such changes of vexation .on't, 

4-S it may lose some color. 
Rod. Here is her father's house ; I'll call aloud. ( goes up the 

stage.) > 

Iago. Do ; with like timorous accent, and dire yell, 

As when, by night and negligence, the fire 

Is spied in populous cities. 
Rod. (c ). What, ho! Brabantio ! Signor Brabantio, ho! {goes to 

the door, knockiiig and shouting ) 
Iago. Awake ! what, ho ! Brabantio ! thieves ! thieves ! thieves ! 
{up the stage, l. c.) 

Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags ! 

Thieves ! thieves ! 

Brabantio enters on balcony, r. 

Brabantio. What is the reason of this terrible summons 1 
What is the matter there 1 
' Rod. Signior, is all your family within 1 

Iago. Are your doors locked? 

Bra. Why 1 wherefore ask you this ? 
Iago. Sir, you are robbed — for shame !| arise, arise I 
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, 

* We cannot all be masters, nor all masters 

Cannot be truly foUow'd. You shall mark 

Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, 

That dotino; on his own obsequious bondage 

Wears out his time, much like his master's ass, 

For naught but provindcr, and when he's old, cashier'd"; 

Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are 

Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty, 

Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves, 

And throwing but shows of service on their lords 

Do well thrive by them, and when they have lined their coats 

Do themselves homage ; these fellows have some soul, 

And such a one do I profess myself. 

For, sir. 

It is as sure as you are Roderi^^o, 

Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago ; 

In following him, I follow but myself ; 

t Proclaim him in the streets ; incense her kinsmen, 
And though he in a fertile climate dwell, 
Plague him with flies. 

t Put on your gown, 
Your heart is burst ; you have lost half your soul ; 
Arise, arise ! 



ACT 1. ] OTHELLO. 15 

Or else the devil will make a giandsire of you ; 

Arise, I say ! 
Bi?A. What, have you lost your wits'? 

EoD. Most reverend Signior, do you know my voice 1 
Bra, Not I, What are you 1 

Rod My name is — Hoderigo. 

Bra. The worse welcome. 

I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors ; 

In honest plainness thou hast heard me say, 

My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness, 

Being full of supper, and distempering draughts, 

Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come 

To start my quiet — ' — 
Rod. Sir, sir, sir! 

Bra. But thou must needs be sure, 

My spirit and my place, have in them power 

To make this bitter to thee. 
Rod. Patience, good sir ! 

Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing 1 this is Venice ; 

. My house is not a grange. 
Rod. Most grave Brabantio, 

In simple and pure soul I come to you. 
Iago. Sir, you are one of those that will not serve 

Heaven if the devil bid you.* 
Bra. Thou art a villain! 

Iago. You are — CRoderigo cJiecks 7dm) a Senator. 
Bra. This thou shalt answer ; I know thee, Roderigo. 
Roc. Sir, I will answer anything. But I beseech youf 

Straight satisfy yourself: 

If she be in her chamber, or your house, 

Let loose on me the justice of the State 

For thus deluding you. 
Bra. Give me a taper — call up all my people — 

This accident is not unlike my dream; 

Belief of it oppresses m& already — 

Light, I say! light! {retires. Iago a7id Roderigo come 
doicn.) 
Iago (c). Farewell, for T must leave you ; 

It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place, 

To be produced (as, if I stay, I shall), 

* Bka. What })rofane wretch art thou ? 

lAGiO, 1 am one, sir, that comes to tell yon your daughter and the Moor are 
now — — 

t irt be your pleasure and most wise consent, 

As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter, . . 

At this odd -even and dull watch o' the night. 

Transported with no worse nor better guard 

But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, 

To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor— 

If this be known to you, and your allowance, 

We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs ; 

But if you know not this, my manners tell me, 

We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe 

That, from the sense of all civility, 

I thus would play and trifle with your reverence ; 

Your daughter, if you have not given her leave, 

1 say again, hatli made a gross revolt, 

Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes, 

In an extravagant and wheeling stranger 

Of here and everywhere. 



16 OTHELLO. [act I. 

Against the Moor ; for I do know the State — 

However, this may gall hira with some check — 

Cannot with safety cast liim ; for he's embarked 

Witli such loud reason to the Cyprus' wars 

(Which even now stand in act), that, for their souls, 

Another of his fathom they have not, 

To lead their business ; in whicli regard, 

Though I do hate him as I do hell's pains, 

Yet, for necessity of present life, 

I must show out a flag and sign of love, 

Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him 

Lead to the Sagittary the raised search ; 

And there will I be with him. So, farewell ! [Exit, k. 1 e. 

Enter Brabantio and Servants, iDith torches, from the house, k. 

Bra. It is too true an evil ; gone she is ! 

And what's to come of my despised time, 
Is naught but bitterness. Now, Roderigo, 
Where did'st thou see her ? Oh, unhappy girl ! 
With the Moor, say'st thou ? Who would be a father 7 
How did'st thou know 'twas she 1 Oh, thou deceivest me 
Past thought ! What said she to you ? — Get more tapers ; 
Raise all my kindred. {Exit Servants, r. 1 e., and l. 2 e. 
Are they married, think you 1 

Rod. (l. c). Truly, I think they are. 

Bra. Oh, Heaven ! — How got she out 1 Oh, treason of the blood ! 
Fathers, from hence trust not your daughter's minds 
By what you see them act. Are there not charms 
By which the property of youth and maidhood 
May be abused ? Have you not read, Roderigo, 
Of some such thing ? 

Rod. Yes, sir ; I have indeed. 

Bka. Call up my brother. 

Exit a Servant, r. d. The other Servants re-enter. 

Oh, that you had had her ! 

Some one way, some another. [Servants go off through arcli- 

iDay, and l. 1 e.) Do you know 
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor ? 
Rod. I think I can discover him; if you please 
To get good guard, and go along with me. 
Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call ; 

I may command at most — get weapons, ho ! (Servant enters 

house, R.) 
And raise some special officers of night — 
On, good Roderigo — I'll deserve your pains, {they move to- 
wards archway as the scene closes in.) 

SCENE II. — Venice. Another street* 

Enter Othello and Iago, r. 1 e. | 

lAao (l. c). Though in the trade of war I have jslain men, 
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience, 
To do no contrived murder ; I lack iniquity 



AC3TI.J OTHELLO. 17 

Sometimes to do me service ; nine or ten times 

I had thought to have yerked him here under the ribs. 
Othello. 'Tis better as it is. {crosses, l.) 
Iago {crosses, to r. c.)- Nay, but he prated, 

And spoke such scurvy and provoking terras 

Against your honor, 

That, with the Mttle godliness I have, 

I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir, 

Are you fast married ? for be sure of this — 

That the magnifico is much beloved ; 

And hath, in his effect, a voice potential 

As double as the Duke's ; he will divorce you ; 

Or put upon you what restraint and grievance 

The law (with all his might to enforce it on), 

Will give him cable. 
0th. Let him do his spite ; 

My services, which I have done the signiory, 

Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know 

(Which, when I know that boasting is an honor 
* I shall promulgate), I fetch my life and being 

From men of royal siege ; and my demerits 

May speak, unbonneted, to as proud a fortune 

As this that I have reached. For know, Iago, 

But that I love the gentle Desdemona, 

I would not my unhoused free condition 

Put into circumscription and confine 

For the sea's worth, {looking off, l.) But look ! what lights 
come yonder 1 
Iago (r.). These are the raised father and his friends — 

You were best go in. 
0th. Not I ; I must be found ; 

My parts, my title, and my perfect soul 

Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they ? 
Iago. By Janus — I think, no. 

Enter Servants, with torches, Cassio, Giovanni, and Luca, l. 

0th. (c). The servants of the Duke, and my lieutenant — 

The goodness of the night upon you, friends ! 

What is the news ? 
Cassio (l.). The Duke does greet you, General ; 

And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance. 

Even on the instant. 
0th. What is the matter, think you 1 

Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine ;* 

You have been hotly called for ; 

When, being not at your lodging to be found, 

The Senate sent about three several quests, 

To search you out. 
0th. 'Tis well I am found by you. 

I will but spend a word here in the house. 

And go with you. [Exit, r. d. 

* It is a business of some heat ; the galleys 
Have sent a dozen sequent messengers 
This very night at one another's heels ; 
And many of the consuls raised and met, 
Are at the Duke's already. * 



18 OTHELLO. [act I. 

Cas. {crossing to Iago ; the others draw hack towards the side of 

the door). Ancient, what makes he here '? 
Iago (r.). 'Faith, he to-uight hath boarded a land-carrack ; 

If it prove lawful prize, he's made forever, 
Cas. I do not understand. 
Iago. He's married. 

Cas. To whom 1 

Re-enter Othello, e. d.. and pauses on the threshold. 

Iago. Marry, to — come, Captain, will you go ? 

0th. Have with you. 

Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you. 

Iago. It is Brabantio — General, be advised ; 

He comes to bad intent. 
0th. Holla ! stand there 1 

Enter two Servants, l., with torches, preceding Roderigo, Braban- 
tio, and Officers, with weapons. 

Rod. Signior, it is the Moor. 

Bra. Down with him, thief! {they draw.) 

Iago. You, Roderigo ! come, sir, 1 am for you ! 
0th. {advances, c). Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will 
rust them, 

Good signior, you shall more command with years, 

Than with your weapons. 
Bra. Oh, thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter ? 

Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her ; 

For, I'll refer me to all things of sense, 

If she in chains of magic were not bound, 

Whether a maid — so tender, fair, and happy, 

So opposite to marriage, that she shunned 

The wealthy curled darlings of our nation 

Would ever have, to incur a general mock, 

Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom 

Of such a thing as thou ; to fear, not to delight. 

I therefore apprehend, and do attach thee, 

For an abuser of the world, a practiser 

Of arts inhibited and out of warrant — 

Lay hold upon him ; if he do resist, 

Subdue him at his peril, {they advance on both sides.) 
0th. {sternly). Hold your hands. 

Both you of my inclining, and the rest — 

Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it 

Without a prompter. Where will you that I go 

And answer this your charge 1 
Bra. (l. c). To prison, till fit time 

Of law, and course of direct session. 

Call thee to answer. 
0th. (c). What, if I do obey ? 

How may the Duke be therewith satisfied ; 

Whose messengers are here about my side, 

Upon some present business of the State, 

To bring me to him 1 
Cas. (r. c). 'Tis true, most worthy signior, 



ACT I.] OTHELIiO. 19 

The Duke^s in council ; and your noble self, 
I am sure, is sent for. 
Bra. How ! the Duke in council ! 

In this time of the night 1 Bring him away ; 
Mine's not an idle cause ; the Duke himself, 
Or any of my brothers of tlie State, 
Cannot, but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own; 
For if such actions may have passage free, 
Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be. [Exeunt^ l. 

SGENE III. — Venice. A council cJiamber* 

TJie Duke, Gratiano, Lodovico, and other Senators seated^ and 
Marco, in loaiting, discovered. 

Duke. There is no composition in these news, 

That gives them credit. 
Gratiano (l.). Indeed, they are disproportion'd ; 

My letters say, a hundred and seven galleys. 

JK 

* In the Booth version this scene is represented (so far as regards the commence- 
ment) as taking place in an ante-chamber of the Senate House, and runs thus : 

Enter Gratiano, Lodovico, and Vincentio. 

Gratiano. There is no compof»ition in these news 

That gives tlieni credit. 
LoD. Indeed, they are disproportion^ ; 

My letters say a hundred and seven galleys. 
ViN. And mine, a hundred and forty. 

Gra. And mine, two hundred I 

But though they jump not on a just account — 

As in these cases, where the aim reports, 

'Tis oft with difference— yet do they all confirm 

A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus. 
LoD. Nay, it is possible enough to judgment ; 

I do not so secure me in the error. 

But the main article I do approve 

In fearful sense. 
Sailor (loithin). What, ho ! what, lio ! what, ho ! 

Enter Leonardo, ivith a torch, and a Sailor. 

Leonardo. A messenger from the galleys. 

Gra. Now, what's the business ? 

Sailor. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes ; 

So was I bid report here to the State 

By Signior Angelo. [Leonardo and Sailor jmss on and exeunt. 

LoD. How say you by this change ! 
Gra. This cannot be, 

By no assay of reason ; 'tis a pageant 

To keep us in false gaze. When we consider 

The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk, 

And let ourselves again but understand 

That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes, 

So may he with more facile question bear it, 

Nor that it stands not m such warlike brace. 

But altogether lacks the abilities 

That Rhodes is dressM m ; if we make thought of this, 

We must not think the Turk is so unskillful 

To leave that latest which concerns him first, 

Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain. 

To wake tind wage a danger profitless. 
Lf)D. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes. [Exeunt. 

Then follows the council chamber, which is marked as Scene 4. The Duke and 
Senators, with officers, etc., are discovered seated, and a new named character, 
Luceutio, is delivering to the assembly tLw- words here set down for the messenger. 



20 OTHELLO, [act I. 

Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty. 
LoD. (r.). And mine, two hundred ; 

But though they jump not on a just account 

Yet do they all confirm 

A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus. 
Duke. Nay, it is possible enougn to judgment. 

Enter Paulo, l. d. 

Paulo. A messenger from the galleys. 

Duke. Now, the business *? 

Enter a Messenger, l. d. 

Messenger. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, 

Steering with due course towards the Isle of Rhodes, 
Have there enjoined them with an after-fleet. ( gives letters to 
Marco, icho delivers them to the Duke.) 

Loi). How many, as you guess 1 

Mes. Of thirty sail ; and now do they re-stem 

Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance 
Their purposes towards Cyprus. Signior Montano, 
Your trusty and most valiant servitor, 
With his free duty recommends you thus, 
And prays you to believe him. 

Duke. 'Tis certain, then, ^or Cyprus, 

LoD. Here comes Brabaatio — and the valiant Moor. 

[Exit Messenger, l. d. 

Enter Bkabantio, Othello, Cassio,* Iago, Roderigo, Giovanni, and 
LucA, L. Othello and Cassio cross to r. 

Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you 

Against the general enemy, Ottoman. 

{to Brabantio) I did not see you — welcome, gentle signior; 

"We lacked your coiuisel and your help to-night. 
Bra. (l.). So did T yours ; gooil, your grace, pardon me ; 

Neither my place, nor aught I heard of business, 

Hath raised me fiom my bed ; nor doth the general care 

Take hold on me ; for my particular grief 

Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature. 

That it engluts and swallows other sorrows, 

And it is still itself. 
Duke. Why, what's the matter! 

Bra. My daughter ! Oh, my daughter ! {toeeps.) 
Duke. Dead? 

Bra. Ay, to me; {advances, l. c.) 

She is abused, stolen from me, and corrupted 

By spells and med'cines bought of mountebanks ; 

For nature so preposterously to err,t 

Sans witchcraft, could not 

* In the Booth version Cassio ivS not Ijroiis^ht on. It is true Jio has nothing to say, 
but having taken the message fo'* OLhello's attendance, his duty would compel him 
to return ; if not, curiosity to see I lie issue of events, after what had taken place, 
would naturally induce him lo be present. — En. 

t Bemg not deficient, blind, or Kame of sense. 



ACT I.] OTHELLO. 21 

DiTKE. Wbo'er he be, that in this foul proceeding 

Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself, 

And you of her, the blood}- book of law 

You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, 

After j'^our own sense ; yea, though our proper sou 

Stood in your action. 
Bra. Humbly, I thank your grace. 

Here is the man, this Moor ; whom now, it seems, 

Your special mandate for the Slate affairs, 

Hath hither brought. 
D0KE. We are very sorry for't — 

{to Othello) What, in your own part, can you say to thisi 
Bra. Nothing, but this — -it is so. 

Otu. {advances, b. c, making solemn salutes). Most potent, grave, 
and reverend signiors, 

My very noble and approved good masters, 

That I have ta'en away this oldnian's daughter, 

It is most true — -true, 1 have married her— 

The very head and front of my offending 
"Hath this extent, no more. Rude am 1 in my speech. 

And little blessed with the f-et i)hrase of peace ; 

For since these arms of mine had seven year's pith, 

Till now, some nine moons wasted, tliey have used 

Their dearest action in the tented field ; 

And little of this great world can 1 speak, 

More than pertains to feats of broil and battle ; 

And therefore little shall I grace my cause, 

In speaking for myself; yet by your gracious patience, 

I will a round, unvarnished Lale deliver, 

Of my whole course of love ; what drugs, what charms, 

What conjurations, and what mighty magic 

(For such proceedings am I charged withal), 

I won his daughter with 
Bra. a maiden never bold ; 

Of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion 

Blushed at herself; and she— in spite of nature, 

Of 3'ea,rs, of country, credit, ever3'thing — 

To fall in love with what she feared to look on! 

It is a judgment maimed, and most injperfect, 

That will confess — pei'fection so could err 

Against all rules of nature ;* ^ 

I therefore vouch again, 

That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood, 

Or with some dram conjured to this effect, 

He wrought upon her. 
Duke. To vouch this is no proof. 

Othello, speak — 

Did you, by indirect and forced courses, 

Subdue and poison this young maid's affections'? 

Oi- came it by i-equest, and such fair question 

As soul to soul affordeth? 
Oth. I do beseech you, 

Send for the lady to the Sagittary, 

* And must be driven 
To find out practices of cunnii^ hell, 
Whj' this should be. I therefore vouch again. 



22 OTKfiliLO. [act L 

And let liei- speak of me before her father j 

If you do find me foul in her report, 

The trust, the office T do hold of you, 

Not only take away, but let your sentence 

Even fall upon my life. 
DtjKB, Fetch Desdemona hither. 

0th. Ancient, conduct them ; you best know the place — 

[Exeunt Iago, Roderigo, Luca, and Giovanni, l. », 

And till she come, as truly as to Heaven 

I do confess the Vices of my blood, 

So justly to your grave ears I'll present 

How I did thrive in this fair lady's love, 

And she in mine. 
Duke. Say it, Othello. 

0th. Her father loved me ; oft invited me j 

Still questioned me the story of my life, 

From year to year ; the battles, sieges, fortunes 

That I have passed. 

I ran it through, even from my boyish days, 

To the very moment that he bade me tell it ; 

Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances, 

Of moving accidents, by flood and field ; 

Of hair-breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach j 

Of being taken by the insolent foe. 

And sold to slavery j of my redemption thence, 

And with it all my travel's history ; 

Wherein of antres vast and deserts wild. 

Rough quarries, rocks and hills, whose heads touch heaven, 

It was my hent to speak— such was the process— 

And of the cannibals that each other eat, 

The Antropophagi, and men whose heads 

Do grow beneath their shoulders. ' This to hear 

Would Desdemona seriously inchne ; 

But still the house affairs would draw her thence j 

Which ever as she could with haste dispatch, 

She'd come again, and with a greedy ear 

Devour up my discourse ; which I observing. 

Took once a pliant hour, and found good means 

To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart, 

That I would all my pilgrimage dilate, 

Whereof by parcels she had something heard, 

But not intentively. I did consent ; 

And often did beguile her of her tears. 

When I did speak of some distressful stroke 

That my youth suffered. My story being done, 

She gave me for my pains a world of sighs : 

She swore— In faith, 'twas strange, 'twas passing strange | 

'Twas pitiful, 'twas won'drous pitiful ! 

She wished she had not heard it — yet she wished - 

That Heaven had made her such a man ; she thanked me ; 

And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, 

I should but teach him how to tell ray story, ^ 

And that would woo her. Upon this hint, I spake; 

She loved me for the dangers I had passed ; 

And I loved her, that she did pity them. 

This only is the witchcraft I have used — 

Here comes the lady, let her witness it. 



ACT 1. 1 OTHELLO 23 

Duke.* Good Brabantio, 

Take np this mangled matter at the best ; 

Men do their broken weapons rather use, 

Than their bare hands. 
Bba, I pray yon, hear her speak ; 

If she confess that she was half the wooer, 

Destruction light on me, if my bad blame 

Light on the man 1 

Re-enter Giovanki, Iago, l., icitJi Desdemona, Roderigo, ami Luca. 

Come hither, gentle mistress } 

Do you perceive, in all this noble company, 

Where most you owe obedience 1 (Othello, l. c.) 
Des. (c). My noble father, 

I do perceive here a divided duty ; 

To you I am bound for life and education j 

My life and education both do learn me 

How to respect you ; you are the lord of duty, 
"I am hitherto your daughter ; but here's my husband, 

And so much duty as my mother showed 

To you, preferring you before her father, 

So much I challenge that I may profess 

Due to the Moor, my lord. 
Bba, Heaven be with you — I have done I 

Come hither, Moor ; 

I here do give thee that with all my heart, 

Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart 

I would keep from thee — (Othello and Desdemoea retire, R ) 

I have done. Proceed to the affairs of State. 
Dcke. The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cypiris, 
Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you.f You must 
therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with 
this more stubborn and boisterous expedition. 
0th. The tyrant custom, most grave Senators, 

Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war 

My thrice-driv'n bed of down j I do agnize 

A natural and prompt alacrity 

I find in hardness ; and do undertake 

These present wars against the Ottomites. 

Most humbly, therefore, bending to your state, 

I crave fit disposition for my wife; 

Dfue reference of place and exhibition ;. 

With such accommodation and besort 

As levels with her breeding. 
Duke. Be't at her father's. 
Bra. IMl not have it so. 

0th. Nor I? 

Des. Nor I •, I would not there reside,- 

To put my father in impatient thoughts, 

By being in his eye. Most gracious Duke, {kneels, c.) 

* Desbemona and others enter^ 

I think this tale would win my daughter toa, 

f And though we have there a sabstitute yf most allov/ed sufHcK'nc} . yet wpinioFii, 
sovereign, mistcess o-i effects,, throws u nioce safer vtHce on you.. 



24 OTHELLO. ' [act I. 

To ray unfolding lend a prosperous ear, 

And let me find a charter in your voice, 

To assist my simpleness. 
Duke. What would you, Desdemona 1 
Des. That I did love the Moor to live with him. 

My downright violence and scorn of fortunes 

May trumpet to the world ; my heart's subdued 

Even to the very quality of my lord ; 

I saw Othello's visage in his mind ; 

And to his honors and his valiant parts, 

Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate ; 

So that, dear lords, if I be left behind, 

A moth of peace, and he go to the war, 

The rights for which I love him are bereft me, 

And I a heavy interim shall support 

By his dear absence ; let me go with him. 
0th. Your voices, lords — 'beseech you, let her will * 

Have a free way. (advances, and raises her. ) 
Duke. Be it as you shall privately determine, 

Either for stay, or going ; the affairs cry — haste ! 

And speed must answer ; you must hence to-night. 
Des. To-night, my Lord 1 
Duke. This night. 

0th. With all my heart. 

Duke. At ten i' the morning here we'll meet again. 

Othello, leave some officer behind, 

And he shall our commission bring to you; 

And such things else of quality and respect, 

As doth concern you. 
0th. Please your grace, my ancient, 

A man he is of honesty and trust ; 

To his conveyance I assign my wife 

With what else needful your good grace shall think 

To be sent after me. 
Duke. Let it be so — 

Good-night to every one. And, noble signior, 

If virtue no delighted beauty lack, 

Your son-in-law is far more fair than black. 

Exeunt Duke, Looovico; the other Sej^ators, Marco, Paulo, Giovan- 
ni, and Luca, r. 3 e. 

Bra. Look to her, Moor ; have a quick eye to see, 

She has deceived her father, and may thee. 
0th. My life upon her faith. 

[Exeunt Brabantio, and Grattano, l. 3 e. 
Honest lago, {advancing, c.) 
My Desd mona must I leave to thee j 

* 0th. Let her have your voices. 

And Heaven defend j'our good souls, that you think 

I will your serious and great business scant 

For sh<3 is with me. No, when light-wing'd toys 

Of feathurVl Cupid seel with wanton dulness 

My speculative and officed instruments, 

That my disports corrupt and taint my business, 

Let housewives make a skillet of my helm, 

And ail indign and base adversities 

Make head against my estimation. 



ACT I.] OTHELLO. 25 

I prythee, let thy wife attend on her ; 
And bric^ her after in the best advantage. — 
Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour 
Of love, of worldly matters and direction, 
To spend with thee ; we must obey the time. 

[Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio, l. 3 e. 

Rod. lago 

Iago. What say'st thou, noble heart ? 

Rod. What will I do, think'st thou 1 

Iago. Why, go to bed and sleep. 

Rod. I will incontinently drown myself. 

Iago. Well, if thou dost, I shall never love thee after it; 
Why, thou silly gentleman 1 

Rod. It is silliness to live, when to live is a torment ; and then have 
we a prescription to die, when death is our physician. 

Iago. Oh, villainous ! I have looked upon the world for four times 
seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an in- 
jury, I never found a man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would 
say I'd drown myself for the love of a Guinea-hen, I'd change my 
humanity with a baboon. 

Rod. What should 1 do 1 I confess it is my shame to be so fond ; 
but it is not in my virtue to amend it. 

Iago. Virtue! a fig! 'tis in ourselves, that we are thus, or thus. 
Come, be a man. Drown thyself! drown cats and blind puppies! I 
profess me thy friend, and I could never better stead thee than now. 
Put money in thy purse; follow these wars; I say, pu^ money in ihy 
purse. It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to 
the Moor — put money in thy purse ! — nor he his to her ; it was a vio- 
lent commencement, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration; 
put but money in thy purse !* if sanctimony and a frail vow, betwixt 
an erring barbarian and a super-subtle Venetian, be not too hard for 
my wits, and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her ; therefore make 
money. A plague of drowning ! it is clean out of the way ; seek thou 
rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy, than to be drowned, and go 
without her. 

Rod. Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue 1 

Iago. Thou art sure of me. Go, make money — I have told thee often, 
and I tell thee again and ajain, I hate the Moor ; my cause is hearted, 
thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against 
him. If.thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, and me 
a sport t Traverse — go ; provide thy money. We will have more of 
this to-morrow. Adieu ! 

Rod. Where shall we meet i' the morning ? 

Iago. At my lodging. 

Rod. I'll be with thee betimes, {going.) 

Iago. Go to ; farewell. Do you hear, Roderigo 1 

Rod. {halting). What say you '? 

Iago. No more of drowning — do you hearl 

Rod. I am changed. I'll go sell all my land. [Exit, l. 3 e. 

Iago (c). Thus do I ever make my fool my purse ; 

For I mine own gained knowledge should profane 
If I would time expend with such a snipe, 
But for my sport and profit, i hate the Moor ; 

f These Moors are changeable in their wills ; fill thy purse with money. Tf thou 
will needs damn thyself, do it in a more delicate way than drowning. Make all 
the money thou canst. • 

t There are many events iu the womb of time which will be delivered. 



I 



26 



OTHEIiliO. [AGTH. 

And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets 
He has done ray office ; I know not if t be true ; 
Yet I, for mere suspicion in that kind, 
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well ; 
The better shall my purpose work on him. 
Cassio's a proper man. Let me see now ; 
To get his place, and to plume up my will, 
A double knavery. How ? how 1 Let me see- 
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear, 
That he is too familiar with his wife- 
He hath a person and a smooth dispose 
To be suspected— framed to make women false— 
The Moor, a free and open nature, too, 
That thinks men honest, that but seem to be so ; 
And will as tenderly be led by the nose, 
As asses are. 

I have't— it is engendered. Hell and mg"'' 
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world s light. 

* [Exit, L. 1 E. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT IT. 

SCENE 1.— Cyprus. A platform before the town* 
miter MONTANO, Cassio, and Julio, r. 3 e., descend c, and advance. 

Cas (c ). Thanks to the valiant of this warHke isle, 

That so approve the Moor. Oh, let the heavens 

Give him defence against the elements, 

For I have lost him on a dangerous sea ! 
MoNTANO (L. c). , , ,. Ishe well shipped 1 

Cas. His bark is stoutly timbered, and his pilot 

Of very expert and approved allowance ; 

Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death, 

Stand in bold cure, {a camion fired ) 

(iDitJiout, L.) A sail ! a sail ! a sail ! 

{crossing, l.) What noise % 

Enter Antonio, l. 3 e. ; descends, c, and advances. 

Antonio. The town is empty ; on the brow o' the sea 
Stand ranks of peo{)le, and they cry— ft sail ! 

Cas. My hopes do shape him for the Governor; 

I prav you, sir, go forth, . , , .^7 * \j. 

And give us truth, who His that is arrived (gtins inthout.)-\ 



* SCENE 1.— Cyprus. An open place near the quay. 

t Ant. They do discharge tlioir bhot of comtesy ; 
<i):ir friends at least. 



Cas. I pray, etc. 



OTfiEIiLO. 



27 



ACTn.] 

Julio,* I shall I [Exeunt, with Antosio. 

MoN. But, good lieutenant, is your general wived 1 
Cas. Most fortunately ; he hath achieved a maid 

That paragons description and wild fame ; 

One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, 

And in the essential vesture of creation, 

Does bear all excellency. 

Re-enter Antonio and Julio. 

How now ; who has put in ? 
Jul. 'Tis one lago, ancient to the Genei-al. 
Cas. He has had most favorable and happy speed, 

Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,t 

As having sense of duty do omit 

Their mortal natures, letting go safely by 

The divine Desderaona, 
MoN. What is she 1 

Cas. §he that I spake of, our great Captain's captain, 

Left in the conduct of the bold lago. 

Oh, behold — {crosses to meet Desdemona, r., Julio and An- 
tonio cross, K.) 

The riches of the ship are come on shore. 

Enter Iago, Desdemona, Roderigo, Emilia, Marco, and Paulo, e. 3 

E. ; descend c, and advance. 

(r. c.) Hail to thee, lady ! and the grace of Heaven, 

Before, behind thee, and on every hand, 

Enwheel thee round ! 
Des. (c). I thank you, valiant Cassio. 

What tidings can you tell me of my lord *? 
Cas. He is not yet arrived ; nor know I aught, 

But that he's well, and will be shortly here. 
Des. Oh, but I fear— how lost you company 1 
Cas. The great contention of the sea and skies 

Parted our fellowship, {cannon Jired, l.) 

{without, h.). A sail! a sail! 
Cas. But hark ! a sail.:|: See for the news. [Exit Antonio, l. 8 e. 

Good ancient, you are welcome, {to Emilia, kissing her) Wel- 
come, mistress. 

Let it not gall your patience, good lago. 

That I extend my manners ; 'tis my breeding 

That gives me this bold show of courtesy. 
Iago (l. c). Sir, would she give you so much of her lips 

As of her tongue she oft bestows on me. 

You'd have enough. 



* There being no Julio in the Booth version, his part is thrown into that of An- 
tonio, which is certainly incorrect, because Antonio having just brought the news, 
Cassio would not require him to go back and get the information ; but would na- 
turally send one of his own officers.— Ed. 

t The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands, 
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel. 

X {guns heard without) 
Ant. They give their greeting to the citadel ; 

This likewise is a friend. • 

Cas. See for the news. 



28 OTHELLO. [ACTH. 

Des. (c). Alas, she has no speech . 

Iago. In faith, too much ! 

I find it still, when I have list to sleep; 
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant, 
She puts her tongue a little in her heart. 
And chides with thinking. 
Emi. You have little cause to say so. 

Iago. Come on, come on ; you are pictures out of door, 

Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens, , 

Saints in your injuries, devils being offended. 
Des. Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer ! 
Iago. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk. 
Emi. You shall not write my praise. 
Iago. No ; let me not. 

Des. What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me 1 
Iago. Oh, gentle lady, do not put me to't ; 

For I am nothing, if not critical. 
D.ES. Come on, assay. There's one gone to the harbor 1 
Cas. Ay, madam. 

Des. I am not merry ; but I do beguile 

The thing I am, by seeming otherwise. 
Come, what praise couldstthou bestow on a deserving woman, indeed ; 
one that, in the authority of her merits, did justly put on the vouch 
of very malice itself 7 

Iago. I am about it ; but indeed, my invention 

Comes from my pate, as birdlime does from frieze- 
It plucks out brain and all. But my muse labors, 
And thus she is delivered : 
She that was ever fair, and never proud, 
Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud ; 
Never lacked gold, and yet went never gay ; 
Fled from her wish, and yet said — Now I may I 
She that, being angered, her revenge being nigh. 
Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly ;* 
She that could think, and ne'er disclose her mind, 
See suitors following, and not look behind ; 
She was a wight — if ever such wight were — {stopping sud- 
denly.) 
Des. To do what 1 

Iago. To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer. 

Des. Oh, most lame and impotent conclusion. Do not learn of him, 
Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you, Cassio ? is he not a 
most profane and illiberal counsellor 1 

Cas. He speaks home, madam ; you may relish him more in the sol- 
dier, than in the scholar, (takes Desdemona by the hand and withdraios 
a little toicard r., conversing with her and pointing off, as though di- 
recting her attention now and then to some particular object, continu- 
ing. to do so during Iago's speech.) 

Iago {aside, k.). He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper. 
As little a web as this will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile 
upon her, do — f will gyve thee in thine own courtship). You say true; 
'tis so, indeed Jf snch tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenancy, 
it had been bettei- you liad not kissed your three fingers so oft. (cffl| 
nan fired. Trumpet sounds, l. — aloud ) The Moor — I know his trumpe j 



■■' She that HI wisdom never was so frail, 

To chancre (he cod's-head for tiie t<aJmon"s tail. 



\ 



ACT n.] OTHELLO. 29 

D'es. Let's meet him, and receive him. (advancing, l.) 

Othello, Antonio, Luca, Giovanni, Lorenzo, and Gentlemen enter 
on the platform, l. 3 e. TJie Gentlemen remain on the platform ; 
the others descend, c. , 

0th. {advancing, c). Oh, my fair warrior ! 

Des. My dear Othello I {they embrace.) 

0th. It gives me wonder great as my content. 

To see you here before me. Oh, ray soul's joy I 

If after every tempest come such calms, 

May the winds blow till they have wakened death! 

And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas 

Olympus-high ; and duck again as low 

As hell's from heaven. If it were now to die, 

'Tvvere now to be most happy ; for, I fear, 

My soul hath her content so absolute, 

That not another comfort like to this 

Succeeds in unknown fate. 
Des. • The heavens forbid, 

But that our loves and comforts should increase, 

Even as our days do grow ! 
0th. Amen, to that sweet prayer !* 

And this, and this — (Jdssing he?') the greatest discord be 

That e'er our hearts shall make ! 
Iago. {aside, l.). Oh, you are well-tuned now ; 

But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, 

As honest as I am. 
Oth. Come, let's to the castle — 

{to the Citizens and Gentlemen) News, friends — our wars are 
done ; the Turks are drowned — 

How do our old acquaintance of the isle "? 

Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus ; 

I've found great love amongst them. Oh, my sweet, 

I prattle out of fashion, and I dote 

In mine own comforts. I pr'ythee, good lago, 

Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers ; 

Bring thou the master to the citadel ; 

He is a good one, and his worthiness 

Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona, 

Once more well met at Cyprus 1 

Trumpet sounds. Exeunt, r. 2 e,, Othello, and the others — the Gen- 
tlemen descending and following. Roderigo is going also, when 
I AGO addresses him, advancing, c. 

Iago. {to RoDERiGo). Do thou meet me presently at the harbor. 
Come hither — (Roderigo retU7'7is)f list me. The lieutenant to-night 
watches on the court of guard. First, I will tell thee this — Desdemona 
is directly in love with him. 

Rod. {astonished ). With him — why, 'tis not possible ! 

Iago. Lay thy finger — thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark 

* I cannot speak enougli of this content ; 
It stops me here ; it is too much of joy. 

+ Tf thou be'st valiant — as they say, baseinen being in love have then a nobility 
iu their natures more than is native to them. 



v 



80 OTHELLO. [ACTrr; 

me, with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging and 
telling her fantastical lies. And will she love him still for prating? 
Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed, and what de- 
light shall she have to look on the devil ? 

Rod. I cannot believe that in her ; she is full of most blessed condi- 
tion. 

Iago. Blessed fig's end ! the wine she dnnks is made of grapes ; if 
she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor. Blessed 
pudding ! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand 1 
didst not mark that 1 

Rod. Yes ; but that was but courtesy. 

Iago. Lechery, by this hand ! an index and obscure prologue to the 
history of lust and foul thoughts, Sir, be you ruled by me ; I have 
brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night for the command ; I'll 
lay't upon you. Cassio knows you not. I'll not be far from you. Do 
you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or 
tainting his discipline, or from what other cause you please, which the 
time shall more favorably minister. 

Rod. Well 

Iago. Sir, h0 is rash, and very sudden in choler ; and, haply, may 
strike at you. Provoke him that he may ; for even out of that, will I 
cause these of Cyprus to mutiny ; whose qualification shall come into 
no true taste again, but by the displanting of Cassio. 

Rod. I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity. 
Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by-and-by at the citadel ; I must 
fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell. 

Rod. Adieu ! [Exit, r. 2 e. 

Iago (c). That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; 

That she loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit ; 
: The Mooi' — howbeit that I endure him not 1 — 

Is of a constant, loving, noble nature. 

And I dare think, he'll prove to Desdemona 

A most dear husband. Now I do love her, too ; 

Not out of absolute lust (though, peradventure, 

T stand accountant for as great a sin), 

But partly led to diet my revenge, 

For that I do suspect the lusty Moor 

Hath leapt into my seat ; the thought whereof 

Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards ; 

And nothing can or shall content my soul, 

Till I am even with him, wife for wife ; 

Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor 

At least into a jealousy so strong 

That judgment cannot cure. Whicn thing to do — 

If this poor brach of Venice, whom I track 

For his quick hunting, stand the putting on, 

I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip ; 

Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb — 

For I fear Cassio with my night-cap, too — 

Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, 

For making him egregiously an ass, 

And practising upon his peace and quiet. 

Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused ; 

Knavery's plain face is never seen till used, [Exit, l. 1 e.* 

* In the printed Booth version the following scene la introduced, but T cannot 



ACT n.] OTHELLO. 31 

SCENE Ii: — Cyprus. TJie Ouard-Jiouse before the castle.'^ 

^nier Othello, Cassio, Giovanni, Ldca, Marco, and Paulo, k. 1 b, 

- 0th. Good Michael, look yow to the guard to-night, 
Let's teach ourselves that honorable stop, 
Not to out-sport discretion. 
Cas. lago hath direction what to do ; 

But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye 
Will I look to't. 
0th. lago is most honest. 

Michael, good-night. To-morrow, with our earliest, 

Let me have speech with you. 

Good-night. 

{Exeunt tlirougli the guard-house^ r. d., all 'but Cassio, 

Enter Iago, l. 1 e. 

Cas. Welcome, Iago ; we must to the watch. 

IaGo. Not this hour, lieutenant ; it is not yet ten o'clock. Our Gen- 
eral cast us thus early, for the love of his Desdemona ; whom let us not 
therefore blame ; he hath not yet made wanton the night with her, and 
she is sport for Jove. 

Cas. (r. c). She's a most exquisite lady. 

Iago. (c ). What an eye she has ! methinks it sounds a parley of pro- 
vocation. 

Cas. An inviting eye ; and yet, methinks, right modest. 

Iago, And when she speaks, 'tis an alarum to love. 

Cas. She is, indeed, perfection. 

Iago. Well, happiness to their sheets ! Come, lieutenant, I have a 
stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that 
would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello. 

Cas. Not to-night, good Iago ; I have very poor and unhappy brains 
for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other cus- 
tom of entertainment. 

Iago. Oh, they are our friends ; but one cup. I'll drink for you. 

Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was craftily quali- 
fied too ; and behold what innovation it makes here ; I am unfortunate 
in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more. 

see any reason for so doing, because it opens upon the same scene as the first, and 
the ensuing action does not change to a different spot as in this version :— Ed. 

SCENE 11.-^ street. 

^7i<er LucENTio. xoitli a proclamation— People following. 

Luc. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant General, that upon certain 
tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man 
put himself into triumph ; some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to 
what sport and revels his addiction leads him ; for besides these beneficial news, 
it is the celebration of his nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. 
All offices are open, and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of 
five till the bell have told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble 
general Othello I [Exeimt. 

* In the Booth version, as printed, this becomes Scene 3, and is the same as 
Scene 1 ; but in the version recently produced at the Fifth Avenue Theatre the 
second Scene was omitted, and consequently there was no change. I decidedly 
prefer the old version, as printed above, laying the scene outside the guard-house, 
as being more in accordance with the tgxt, and the most appropriate spot for the 
action of the Scene to take place upon.— Ed. 



32 OTHELIiO. [act II. 

Iago. What, man ! 'tis a night of revels ; the gallants desire it. 

Cas. Where are they 1 

Iago. Here — I pray you call them in. 

Cas. I'll do't ; but it dislikes me. [Exit, l. 1 e. 

Iago (c). If I can fasten but one cup upon him, 

With that which he hath drunk to-night already, 

He'll be as full of quarrel and oflfenee 

As my young mistress' dog. Now my sick fool, Roderigo, 

Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side outward, 

To Desdemona hath to-night caroused 

Potations pottle-deep, and he's to watch ; 

Three lads of Cyprus — noble swelling spirits, 

That hold their honor in a wary distance, 

The very elements of this warlike isle — 

Have I to-night flustered with flowing cups, 

And they watch, too. {loud laughing, l.) Now, 'mongst this 
flock of drunkards, 

I am to put our Cassio in some action 

That may offend the isle — {vehement laughter, l.) 

But here they come. 

If circumstances do but approve my dream. 

My boat sails freely both with wind and stream. 

Re-enter Cassio, accompanied ly Montano, J[jlio, Antonio, Leonar- 
do, and a Servant, with wine and goblets, l. 1 e, 

Cas. 'Fore Heaven, they have given me a rouse already. 
Mont. Good faith, a little one ; not past a pint. 

As I am a soldier. 
Iago (r. c). , Some wine, ho ! {sings) 

And let me the canakin clink, clink ! 
And let me the canakin clink ; 

A soldier's a man ; 

A life's but a span ; 
Why, then let a soldier drink. 

Some wine, boys ! (Servant fills goNets.) 

Cas. 'Fore Heaven, an excellent song ! 

Iago. I learned it in England, where, indeed, they are most potent in 
potting; your Dane, your German, and your sw^g-belhed Hollander — 
Drink, ho ! — are nothing to your English, {plies Cassio with wine.) 

Cas. Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking? 

Iago. Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead drunk; he 
sweats not to overthrow your Almain ; he gives your Hollander a vomit 
ere the next pottle can be filled. 

Cas. To the health of our General. 

Mont. T am for it, lieutenant ; and I'll do you justice. 

Iago. Oh, sweet England ! {sings, and gives more wine to Cassio) 

King Stephen was a worthy peer, 
His breeches cost him but a crown ; 

He held them sixpence all too dear, 
With that he called the tailor — lown.* 
Some wine, ho ! 



* He was a wight of high renown, 
And thon art but of low degree ; 

'Tis pride that pulls the country down, 
Then take thine auld cloak about thee. 



ACT n. ] OTHELLO. "83 

Cas. 'Fore Heaven, this is a more exquisite song than the other. 
Iago. Will you hear it again 1 

Cas. No, for I hold him unworthy of his place that does those things. 
Well — Heaven's above all ; and there be souls that must be saved, and 
there be souls that must not be saved. 
Iago. It's true, good lieutenant. 

Cas. For mine own part — no offence to the General, nor any man of 
quality — I hope to be saved. 
Iago. And so do I, too, lieutenant. 

Cas. Ay ; but by your leave, not before me ; the lieutenant is to be 
saved before the ancient, {laughs) Let's have no more of this ; let's to 
our affairs. Forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let's look to our business. 
(laughs) Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk ; this is my ancient — this 
is my right hand, and this is my left hand. I am not drunk now ; I 
can stand well enough, and speak well enough. 
All. Excellent well. 
Cas. Very well, then — you must not think that I am drunk. 

[Exeunt, l. 1 e., all hut Iago and Montano. 
Iago. You see this fellow that is gone before ; 
• He is a soldier fit to stand by Csesar 

And give direction ; and do but see his vice. 
I fear, the trust Othello puts him in, 
On some odd time of his infirmity. 
Will shake this island. 
Mont. But is he often thus ? 

Iago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep.* 
Mont. It were well 

The General were put in mind of it ; 
Perhaps he sees it not ; or his good-nature 
Prizes the virtues that appear in Cassio, 
And looks not on his evils. Is not this true 1 

Enter Roderigo, k. 1 e. 

Iago {aside, to Roderigo). How now, Roderigo ! 

I pray you, after the lieutenant ; go, 

[Roderigo exits, l. 1 e. 
Mont. And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor 

Should hazard such a place, as his own second, 

With one of an ingraft infirmity ; 

It were an honest action to say so 

To the Moor. 
Iago. Not I, for this fair island ; 

I do love Cassio well, and would do much 

To cure him of this evil. 
Rod. {without). Help! help! 

Iago. But hark ! what noise 1 

Re-enter Roderigo, driven in hy Cassio ; Antonio and Julio folloiD- 

ing them. 

. Cas. You rogue! you rascal! 

Mont, What's the matter, lieutenant ? {stops Cassio.) 

Cas. a knave teach me my duty ! 

* He'll watch the horologe a double set, 
, If drink rock not his cradle. 



84 OTHELLO. [ACTn. 

I'll beat the knave into a wicker bottle. 
Rod. Beat me 1 

Cas. Dost thou prate, rogue? {struggling to reach Roderigo.) 
Mont, {staying him). Nay, good lieutenant ; 

Pray, sir, hold your hand. 
Cas juet me go, sir. 

Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard. 
Mont. Come, come ! you're drunk ! 
Cas. Drunk ! (strikes Montano. They 

draw, and fight.) 
Iago {aside). Away, 1 say ! go out and cry — a mutiny ! 

[Roderigo runs out, r. 1 e. 

Nay, good lieutenant — alas, gentlemen — 

Help, ho ! — Lieutenant — sir — Montano— sir ; 

Help, masters ! — Here's a goodly watch, indeed! (bell rings, r.) 

Who's that that rings the bell ? Diabolo, ho ! 

The town will rise. Heaven's will, lieutenant! hold! 

You will be shamed forever ! (Montano is wounded — Antonio 
and Julio support him, l.) 

He-enter Othello, from the guard-house, with drawn scimitar. Mar- 
co, Paulo, Giovanni, Luca, and Servants, witJi torches.* 

0th. (c). Hold, for your lives. 

Why, how now, ho ! from whence ariseth this 1 

Are we turned Turks ; and to ourselves do that 

Which Heaven hath forbid the Ottomites 1 

For Christian shame put by this barbarous brawl ! 

He that stirs next to carve for his own rage, 

Holds his soul light ; he dies upon his motion, {bell rings, r.) 

Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle 

From her propriety. [Exit Mauco, r. 1 e., aiid returns. 

Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving. 

Speak, who began this ? on thy love, I charge thee. (Cassio 
stands leaning against a pillar on the r.) 
Iago (r. c). I do not know ; friends all but now, even now 

In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom 

Divesting them for bed ; and then, but now 

(As if some planet had unwitted men), 

Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast, 

In opposition bloody. I cannot speak 

Any beginning to this peevish odds ; 

And would in action glorious I had lost 

These legs that brought me to a part of it. 
0th. {crosses to Cassio, and surveys him intently). How comes it, 

Michael, you are thus forgot ] 
Cas. I pray you, pardon me ; I cannot speak. 

Oth. {crosses to Montano) Worthy Montano, you were wont to be 
civil; 

The gravity and stillness of your youth 

The world hath noted, and your name is great 

* Oth. What is the mattei- here ? 

Mont. Zounds, I bleed still ! I am hurt to the death ! {faints.) 

Oth. Hold, for your lives ! 

Iaqo. Hold, ho ! Lieutenant — sir — Montano — gentlemen — 

Have you forgot all sense of place and duty ? 

Hold ! the General speaks to you ; hold, hold ! for shame ! 



ACT n.] OTHELLO. 85 

In mouths of wisest censure. What's the matter, 

That you unlace your reputation thus, 

And spend your rich opinion for the name 

Of a night brawler ? Give me answer to it. 
Mont. (l.). Worthy Othello, 1 am hurt to danger; 

Your officer, Tago, can inform you — 

While 1 spare speech, Avhich something now offends me, 

Of all that 1 do know ; nor know I aught, 

By me that's said or done amiss this night 

Unless self charity be sometimes a vice, 

And to defend ourselves, it be a sin, 

When violence assails us. 
Oth. Now, by Heaven, 

My blood begins ray safer guides to rule ; 

And passion, having my best judgment collied, 

Assays to lead the way ; if I once stir. 

Or do but lift this arm, the best of you 

Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know 

How this foul rout began, who set it on ; 

And he that is approved in this offence, 

Though he had twinned with me, both at a birth, 

Shall lose me. What ! and in a town of war, 

Yet wild, the people's hearts brim-full of fear. 

To manage private and domestic quarrel — 

In night, and on the court, a guard of safety — 

'Tis monstrous, [goes to Iago in the c.) lago, who began't? 
Mont, (l , to Iago). If partially affined, or leagued in office 

Tliou dost deliver more or less than truth, 

Thou art no soldier. 
Iago. Touch me not so near ; 

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth. 

Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio ; 

Yet I persuade mj'self, to speak the truth 

Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is. General: 

Montano and myself being in speech, 

There comes a fellow crying out for help ; 

And Cassio following with determined sword, 

To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman , 

Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause ; 

Myself the crjnng fellow did pursue 

Lest, by his clamor — as it so fell out — 

The town might fall in fright ; he, swift of foot. 

Outran my purpose ; and 1 returned, the rather, 

For that I heard the clink and fall of swords. 

And Cassio high in oath ; which, till to-night, 

I ne'er might say before ; when I came back 

(For this was brief), I found them close together. 

At blow and thrust ; even as again they were. 

When you yourself did part them. 

More of this matter can I not report. 

But men are men ; the best sometimes forget — 

Though Cassio did some little wrong to him — 

As men in rage strike those that wish them best — 

Yet, surely, Cassio — I believe — received 

From him that fled, some strange indignity, 

Which patience could not pass. 
Oth. • I know, Iago, 



86 OTHELLO. [act U. 

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, 

Making it light to Cassio. (returns to Cassio, r.) Cassio, I 

love thee ! 
But never more be officer of mine, {crosses to Montano, l.) 
Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon. 
Lead him off. (Montano is led off ty Julio and Antonio, 

L. 1 E.) 
lago, look with care about the town ; 
And silence those whom tliis vile brawl distracted. 

{Exeunt into the guard-house, all hut Cassio and Iago. 

Iago (crosses to Cassio, r.). What, are you hurt, lieutenants 

Cas. Ay, past all surgery. 

Iago. Marry, Heaven forbid ! 

Cas. Keputation, reputation, reputation ! Oh, I have lost my reputa- 
tion ! I have lost the immortal part, sir, of myself, and what remains 
is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation ! (both return, c.) 

Iago. As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some 
bodily wound ; there is more offence in that than in reputation. Repu- 
tation is, an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and 
lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all, unless you 
repute yourself such a loser. What, man ! there are ways to recover 
the General again.* Sue to him, and he's yours. 

Cas. I will rather sue to be despised, than to deceive so good a com- 
mander, with so slight, so drunken, and indiscreet an officer. . Drunk 1 
and squabble, swagger, swear, and discourse fustian with one's own 
shadow. Oh, thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be 
known by, let us call thee — devil ! (crosses.) 

Iago. What was he that you followed with your sword 1 What had 
he done to you ? 

Cas. I know not. 

Iago. Is it possible '? 

Cas. (crosses). I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; 
a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. Oh, that men should put an enemy 
in their mouths to steal away their brains If 

Iago (c). Why, but you are now well enough! How came you thus 
recovered 1 

Cas. (r. c). It hath pleased the devil Drunkenness, to give place to 
the devil Wrath ; one unperfectness shows me another, to make me 
frankly despise myself, (crosses.) 

Iago. j 1 could heartily wish this had not so befallen ; but since it is 
as it is, mend it for your own good. 

Cas. (l. c). I will ask him for my place again ; he shall tell me I 
am a drunkard ! Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer 
would stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by-and-by a fool, and 
presently a beast ! Oh, strange ! Every inordinate cup is unblessed, 
and the ingredient is a devil. 

Fago. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be 
well used ; exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think 
you think I love you. 

* You are but now cast in his mood ; a punishment more in policy than in 
malice ; even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious 
lion. 

t That we should, with joy, pleasure, revel, and applause, transform [ourselves 
into beasts ! {c7'0sses to and fro.) 

% Come, you are too severe a moraler ; as the time, the place, and the condition 
of this country stands. ... 



ACT H.] OTHELLO. 37 

Cas. I have well approved it, sir — I drunk ! 

Iago. You, or any man living, may be drunk at some time, man. I'll 
tell you what you shall do. Our General's wife is now the general ;* 
confess yourself freely to her; importune her, she'll help to put you in 
your place ; she is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, 
that she holds it a vice in her goodness, not to do more than she is re- 
quested t 

Cas. You advise me well. 

Tago. I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness. 
Cas. I think it freely ; and, betimes in the morning, I will beseech 
the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me. I am desperate of my 
fortunes if they check me here. 

Iago. You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant ; I must to the 
watch. 
Cas. Good night, honest Iago. [Bxit, l. 1 e. 

Iago. And what's he, then, that says I play the villain, 
When this advice is free, I give, and honest, 
Probable to the thinking, and (indeed) the course 
To win the Moor again — 
How am I then a villain, 
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course, 
Directly to his good ? Divinity of hell 1 
When devils will the blackest sins put on. 
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows 
As I do now ; for, while this honest fool 
Plies Dasdemona to repair his fortunes. 
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, 
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear — 
That she repeals him for her body's lust; 
And, by how much she strives to do him good . 
She shall undo her credit with the Moor. 
So will I turn her virtue into pitch; 
And out of her own goodness make the net 
That shall enmesh them all. 

' He-enter Roderigo, r. 1 e. 

How now, Eoderigo ? 
Rod. I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but 
one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent ; I have been to- 
night exceedingly well cudgelled ; I think the issue will be — I shall 
have so much experience for my pains ; and so, with no money at all, 
and a little more wit, return to Venice. 
Iago (c). How poor are they that have not patience ! 

What wound did ever heal but by degrees ? 

Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft; 

And wit depends on dilatory time. 

Does't not go well ? Cassio hath beaten thee, 

And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashiered Cassio. 

Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning ! 

Pleasure and action make the hours seem short 

* I maj^ say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to 
the contemplation, mark and denotement of her parts and graces. 

t Thi.s broken .ioint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter ; and 
my fortune against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow 
stronger than it was before. • 



38 OTHELliO. [act Ul, 

Retire thee — go where thou art billeted ; 

Away, I say ; thou shalt know more hereafter. 

Nay, get thee gone. [Exit Roderigo, l. 1 e. 

Two things are to be done, {meditating, and momng slowly 

off) 
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress ; 
I'll set her on — {pausing, l.) 
Myself the while, to draw the Moor apart, 
And bring him jump where he may Cassio find 
Soliciting his wife. Ay, that's the way ! 
Dull not device by coldness and delay ! {Exit, l. 1 e, 

CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 

SCENE I. — Cyprus. A room in the castle.* 

Desdemona discovered seated, l. Emilia on her right, and Cassio 

standing, c. 

Des. Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do 

All my abilities in thy behalf. 
Emi. Good madam, do ; I know it grieves my husband 

As if the cause were his. 
Des. Oh, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio, 

But I will have my lord and you again 

As friendly as you were. 
Cas. Bounteous madam, 

Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio, 

He's never anything but your true servant. 
Des. Oh, sir, I thank you ! You do love my lord ; 

You've known him long, and be you well assured, 

He shall in strangeness stand no further off 

Than in a politic distance. 
Cas. Ay — but, lady, 

That policy may either last so long, 

Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, 

That I being absent, and my place supplied, 

I\ly General will forget my love and service. 
Des. Do not doubt that; {rimig, and advancing, g. Cassio r. c. 
Emilia, l. c.) before Emilia here 
_ I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee, 

If [ do vow a friendship, I'll perform it, 

To the last article ; my lord shall never rest ; 

IMl watch him tame, and talk him out of patience ; 

I'll intermingle ever\'thintr he does 

With Cassio's suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio, 

* In the Booth version this scene is laid in the garden of the castle, and is so 
carried through to the end of the Act. I decidedly prefer the original and gener- 
allj-- recognized version of laying it in an apartment of the castle, and of a change 
of scene occurring at the point where Othello and lago make the compact for Cas- 
sio's death, instead of re^iorting, as was recently done, to the melo-dramatic effect 
of using a drop scene, lago repeating his allegiance, and then raising the drop to 
the same scene again. — Ed. - 



♦ACTin.] OTHELLO. '39 

For thy solicitor shall rather die 
Than give thy cause away. 
Emi {aside). Madam, here comes my lord. 

Othello, reading paper, enters r. u. -e.., followed hy Iago; they pause 

at the entrance. 

Cas. Madam, I'll take my leave. 

Des. {not noticing Emilia's remark). Why, stay, and hear me 

speak. 
Cas. Madam, not now, I am very ill at ease. 

Unfit for mine own purposes. 
Des. Well, do your discretion. 

[Cassto salutes and exits, r. 3 e. 
Iago (aside, but loud enough for Othello to hear). Ha! I like 

not that. 
0th. ' What dost ihou say % * 

Iago {carelessly). Nothing, my lord ; or if — I know not what. 
0th. Was not that Cassio parted from my wife % 
Iago. Cassio, my lord ? No, sure ; I cannot think it, 

That he would steal away, so guilty-like, 

Seeing you coming. 
„ 0th. I do believe 'twas he ! {they descend, c, 

• und adva7ice ; Iago, l.) 

Des. (r. c). How now, my lord ! 

I have been talking with a suitor here, 

A man that languishes in your displeasure. 
0th. (c). Who is't you mean ? 
Des. Why, your lieutenant Cassio. Good, my lord, 

If T have any grace or power to move you, 

His present reconciliation take ; 

For, if he be not one that truly loves you, 

That eiTs in ignorance, and not in cunning, 

I have no judgment in an honest face — 

I pr'ythee, call him back. 
0th. Went he hence now ? 

Des. Aj';, soothj so humbled, 

That he hath left part of his grief with me ; « 

I suffer with him. Good love, call him back. 
0th. Not now, sweet Desdeniona, some other time. 
Des. But shail't be shortly 1 

0th. The sooner, sweet, for you. 

Des. Shail't be to-night at supper? 
0th. No, not to-night. 

Des. To-morrow dinner, then'? 
0th. I shall not dine at home ; 

I meet the captains at the citadel. 
Des. Why, then, to-morrow night, or Tuesday morn ; 

Or Tuesday noon, or night ; or Wednesday morn — 

I pray thee, name the time ; but let it not 

Exceed three days. In faith he's penitent— 

When shall he come 1 

Tell me, Othello. I wonder, in my soul, 

What you could ask me, that I should deny, 
Or stand so mannering on. What ! Michael Cassio, 
That came a- wooing with you ; and many a time, 
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, 



^0 OTHELLO. [act HI, 

Hath ta'en your part. To have so much to do 

To bring him in. Trust me, I could do much, 
0th. Pr'ythee, no more — let him come when he will, 

I will deny thee nothing. 
Des. Why, this is not a boon ; 

"Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves, 

Or feed on nourishing dishes, keep you warm, 

Or sue to you to do i)eculiar profit 

To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit, 

Wherein I mean to touch your love, indeed, 

It shall be full of poise and difficulty. 

And fearful to be granted. 
0th. I will deny thee nothing ; 

Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, 

To leave me but a little to myself, 
Des. Shall I deny you '? no ! Farewell, my lord, 
0th, Farewell, my Desdemona. Ill come to thee straight, 
Des. Emilia, come. Be't as your fancies teach you ; 

What'er you be, I am obedient. 

Exeunt Emilia and Desdemona, up steps, c, and retiring slowly, r. 

u. E. 

0th. {wlio has deen gazing intently upon them). Excellent wench ! 
Perdition catch my soul, 
But I do love thee ! and when I love thee not, 
Chaos is come again, {sits on seat, l.) 

Iago {drawing near to him). My noble lord 

0th. What dost thou say, Iago 1 

Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, 
Know of your love 1 

0th. He did from first to last. Why dost thou ask 1 

Tago. But for the satisfaction of my thought ; 
No further harm. 

0th. _ What of thy thought, Iago 1 

Iago. I did not think he had been acquainted with her. 

0th. Oh, yes ; and went between us very oft. 

Iago. ^ Indeed! 

0th. Indeed ! indeed ! Discern'st thou aught in that ; 
Is he not honest 1 {advancing toward Iago.) 

Iago. Honest, my lord '? {as though surprised — 

and advancing a little toward r. c.) 

0th, Honest '?— ay, honest, 

Iago. My lord, for aught I know. 

0th. What dost thou think ] 

Iago. Think, my lord"? 

0th. Think, my lord ! 

{aside) By Heaven he echoes me. 
As if there were some monster in his thought, 
Too hideous to be shown, {aloud, rising, and advancing, c.) 

Thou dost mean something ; 
I heard thee say but now — " I like not that,'" 
When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like 1 
And, when I told thee he was of my counsel 
In my whole course of wooing, thou cried'st, " Indeed !" 
And didst contract and purse thy brow together, 
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain 



ACT in.] OTHELLO. 41 

Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me, 

Show me thy thought. 
Tago (r. c). My lord, you know I lov? you. 

0th. (c). I think thou dost ; 

And — for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty, 

And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath, 

Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more ; 

For such things, in a false, disloyal knave. 

Are tricks of custom ; but in a man that's just, 

They're close denotements, working from the heart, 

That passion cannot rule. 
Iago. For Michael Cassio — 

I dare be sworn — I think that he is honest. 
0th. I think so, too. 
Iago. Men should be what they seem ; 

Or, those that be not, Vould they might seem none ! 
0th. Certain, men should be*what they seem. 
Iago. Why, then, I think Cassio's an honest man. 
0th. Nay, yet there's more in this ; 

I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, 

As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts 

The worst of words. 
Iago. Good, my lord, pardon me; 

Though I am bound to every act of duty, 

I am not bound to that all slaves are free to — 

Utter my thoughts 1 Why, say they are vile and false — 

As Where's that palace whereinto foul things 

Sometimes intrude not 1 
0th. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, 

If thou but think'st hlni wronged, and mak'st his ear 

A stranger to thy thoughts. 
Iago. I do beseech you — 

(Though I, perchance, am vicious in my guess — 

As I confess, it is my nature's plague 

To spy into abuses and, oft, my jealousy 

Shapes faults that are not) — I entreat you, then. 

From one that so imperfectly conceits, 

You'd take no notice ; nor build yourself a trouble 

Out of this scattering and unsure observance. 

It were not for your quiet, nor your good. 

Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom, 

To let you know my thoughts. 
0th. What dost thou mean 1 

Iago. Good name, in man and woman, dear, my lord. 

Is the immediate jewel of their souls ; 

Who steals my purse, steals trash ; 'tis something, nothing ; 

'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands ; 

But he that filches from me my good name, 

Robs me of that which not enriches him. 

And makes me poor indeed. 
0th. By Heaven, I'll know thy thought ! 
Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand ; 

Nor shall not, while 'tis in my custody. 
0th. ' Ha! 

Iago. Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy ; 

It is the green-eyed monster which doth make 

The meat it feeds on ; that cuckold lives in bliss 



42 OTHELLO. [act th. 

"Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger 5 

But, oh, what damned minutes tells he o'er, 

Who dotes, yet doubts ; suspects, yet sti'ongly loves; 
0th. Oh, misery! 

Iago. Poor and content, is rich, and rich enough ; 

, But riches, endless, are as poor as winter, 

To him that ever fears he shall be poor — 

Good Heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend 

From jealousy ! 
0th. Why, why is this 1 

Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy, 

To follow still the changes of the moon 

With fresh suspicions '? No ; to be once in doubt, 

Is — once to be resolved.* 

'Tis not to make me jealous, 

To say — my wife is fair, loves company, 

Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well ; 

Where virtue is, these are more virtuous ; 

Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw 

The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt ; 

For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago, 

I'll see before I doubt ; when I doubt, prove ; 

And on the proof, there is no more but this, — 

Away at once with love or jealousy, (crosses, r.) 
Iago. I am glad of this ; for now I shall have reason 
- To show the love and duty that I bear you, 

With franker spirit; therefore, as I am bound, 

Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof — 

Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; 

Wear your eye thus — not jealous, nor secure: — 

I would not have your free and noble nature. 

Out of self-bounty, be abus'd ; look to't. 

I know our country disposition well ; 

In Venice they do let Heaven see the pranks 

They dare not show their husbands ; their best conscience 

Is — not to leave undone, but keep unknown. 
0th. Dost thou say so 1 
Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you ; 

And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks, 

She loved them most. 
0th. And so she did. 

Iago. Why, go to then ; 

She that so young, could give out such a seeming. 

To seal her father's eyes up, close as oak — 

He thought 'twas witchcraft : — but I am much to blame, 

I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, 

For too much loving you. 
0th. I am bound to thee forever ! {7'est- 

less and uneasy, and crossing to and fro.) 
Iago. I see, this hath a little dashed your spirits. 
0th. Not a jot, not a jot ! 
Iago. Trust me, I fear it has. 

I hope you will consider what is spoke 

* Exchange me for a goat, 
When I shall turn the business of my soul 
To such exsufHicate and blown surmises, 
Matching thy inference, 



ACT m.] GTHELIiO. 4S 

Comes from my love — but, I do see, you are moved — 

I am to pray you, not to strain my speech 

To grosser issues, nor to larger reach, 

Than to suspicion. 
0th. I will not. {walking toward steps, and much disturbed.) 
Iago. Should you do so, my lord, 

My speech should fall into such vile success, 

As my thoughts aim not at ; Cassio's m^'^ trusty friend — 

My lord, I see you're moved. 
0th. * No, not much moved — {stop- 

ping short, and after a pause) 

I do not think but Desdemona's honest. 
Iago. Long live she so ! and long live you to think so ! 

0th. And yet, how nature, erring from itself 

Iago. Ay, there's the point, as — to be bold with you — 

Not to affect many proposed matches, 

Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, 

Whereto, we see, in all things nature tends ; 

Fie ! one may smell, in such, a will most rank, 
• Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural. 

But pardon me, I do not, in position, 

Distinctly speak of her ; though I may fear 

Her will, recoiling to her better judcrniont, 

May fall to match you with her country forms, 

And (happily) repent. 
0th. Farewell, farewell ! 

If more thou dost perceive, let me know more — 

Set on thy wife to observe. Leave nie, Iago ! {sinks on seat.) 
Iago. My lord, I take my leave. [Exit, h. 1 e. 

0th. Why did I marry ? This honest creature, doubtless. 

Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds, {rises, and 
crosses, k.) 

Re-enter Iago, l. 

Iago (l.). My lord — I would I might entreat your honor 

To scan this thing no further ; leave it to time. 

Though it be fit that Cassio have his place 

(For, sure, he fills it up with areat ability). 

Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile. 

You shall by that ])ei-ceive him and his means ; 

Note if your lady strain his entertainment 

With any strong or vehement importunity ; 

Much will be seen in that. In the meantime, 

Let me be thought too busy in my fears 

(As worthy cause I have to fear — I am), 

And hold her free, I do beseech your honor. 
0th. Fear not my government. 
Iago. I once more take my leave. 

[Exit, L. 1 B. 
0th. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, 

And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit 

Of human dealings, {sits doicn, h., somewhat excited ) If I do 
prove her haggard, 

Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings, 

I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind, 

To prey at fortune, {rises, and walks to and fro) Haply—for 
I am black, * 



44 OTHELLO. [act HI. 

And have not those soft parts of conversation 

That chamberers have — or, for I am declined 

Into the vale of years — yet, that's not much — (pauses, c.) 

She's gone ; T am abused ; and my relief 

Must be — to loathe her. {sinks on seat, l., and speaking mith 

a deep and, tremulous voice) Oh, curse of marriage ! 
That we can call these delicate creatures ours, 
And not their appetites ! I had rather be a toad, 
And live upon the vapor of a dungeon, 
Than keep a corner in the thing I love, 
For other's uses.* 

Desderaona comes — {looking off, r., and rising) 
If she be false, Oh, then Heaven mocks itself! 
I'll not believe it ! {sinks hack on seat.) 

Re-enter Desdemona and Emilia — they descend, c. Emilia pauses^ b, 
Desdemona advances to Othello. 

Des. How now, my dear Othello 1 

Your dinner, and the generous islanders, 

By you invited, do attend your presence. 
Oth. I am to blame. 

Des. Why is your speech so faint ? Are you not well 7 
Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead, here. 
Des. Why, that's with watching ; 'twill away again. 

Let me but bind it hard, within this hour 

It will be well, {takes out her handkerchief.) 
Oth. Your napkin is too little, [he puts the handker- 

chief from him, and rises ; it drops to the left of seat) 

Let it alone. Come, I'll go with you. 
Des. I'm very sorry that you are not well. 

Othello and Desdemona go sloioly up the steps, c, his arm embrac- 
ing her, and sJie resting her hand upon his shoulder ; they exe- 
unt, R. u. e. 

Emi. {advancing, and 2)icMng up the handkerchief). I am glad I 

have found this napkin ; 
This was her first remembrance from the Moor. 
My wayward husband hath a Imndred times 
Wooed me to steal it; but she so loves the token 
(For he conjured her she should ever keep it). 
That she reserves it evermore about her, 
To kiss and talk to. {advances, c, examining handkerchief) 

I'll have the work ta'en out, 
And give it to Tago ; 

What he will do with it, Heaven knows, not I ; 
I nothing, but to please his fantasy. 

Me-enter Iago. 

* Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones ; 
Prerogativecl are they less than the base ; 
'Tis destiny, unshunable like death ! 
Even this forked plagne is fated to us 
When we do quicken, {rises,) 



ACT ni."l 



OTHELLO. 



45 



Tago 
Emi. 

Iago. 
Emi. 



Iago 
Emi. 



Iago. 
Emi. 

Iago. 
Emi. 



Iago. 



(c). How now ! what do you here alone 1* 
(r. c). Do not you chide. What will you give me now 
For that same handkerchief? (^hiding it behind her.) 
What handkerchief 1 

What handkerchief! 
Why, that the Moor first gave to Desderaona ; 
That which so often you did bid me steal. 
(eagerly). Hast stolen it from her"? 
No ; but she let it drop by negligence ; 
And to the advantage, I, being here, took't up ! 
Look, here it is. ( producing it.) 

A good wench ; give it me. 
What will you do witli't, that you've been so earnest 
To have me filch it 1 

Why, what's that to you ? [snatching it.) 
If t be not for some purpose of import, 
Give't me again. Poor lady ! shell run mad 
When she shall lack it. 
Be not you known on't ; I have use for it. Go, leave me ! 



Emilia retires up steps, c, slowly, and exits, r. u. e., Iago watching 
her departure ; then advancing, c. 

I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, 

And let him find it. Trifles, light as air, 

Are, to the jealous, confirmations strong 

As proofs of holy writ. This may do something — 

The Moor already changes with my poison. 

Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons, 

Which, at the first, are scarce found to distaste ; 

But, with a little act upon the blood, 

Burn like the mines of sulphur. I did say so ; 

Look where he comes ! Not poppy, nor mandragora, 

Not all the drowsy syrups of the world, 

Shall ever medicine thee to the sweet sleep 

Which thou owd'st yesterday. 

Re-enter Othello. 



0th. 
Iago. 
0th. 



Iago. 
0th. 



Ha, ha ! false to me — to me 1 {comes down, c.) 

Why, how now, General 7 No more of that. 

{walking to and fro). Avaunt ! begone ! thou'st set me on the 

rack ; 
I swear, 'tis better to be much abused, 
Than but to know't a little. 

How now, my lord 1 
What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust '? 
I saw't not, thought it not ; it harmed not me ; 
I slept the next night well, was free and merry ; 
I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips. 
He that is robbed, not wanting what is stolen, 



* Emi. Do not you chide ; I have a thing for you. 

Iago^ a thing for me ? It is a common thing 

Emi. {interrupting). Ha I 

Iago. To have a foolish wife. 

Emi. Oh, is tiiat all ? What wilh you give me now 

For %\i»X same haudkerchief ? 



4& OTHELLO. [act m. 

Let him not know't, and he's not robbed at all. {crosses.) 
Iago. I am sony to hear this. 
Oth. I had been happy, if the general camp, 

Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body, 

So I had nothing known Oh, now, for ever, 

Farewell the tranquil mind ! farewell content ! 

Farewell, the plumed troop, and the big wars, 

That make ambiiion virtue! Oh, farewell ! 

Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump, 

The spirit-stiiring drum, the ear-piercing fife, 

The royal baimer ; and all quality, 

Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war ; 

And, oh ! ye mortal engines, whose rude throats 
^-^ The immortal Jove's dread clamors counterfeit, 

Farewell ! Othello's occupation's gone ! (sinks on seat, l., and 
buries Ms face in his hands.) 

Iago. Is it possible 1, {advances, and kneels) My lord 

Oth. {fiercely seizing Iago). Villain ! be sure thou prove my love a 
whore I 

Be sure of it — give me the ocular proof — 

Or, by the worth of ray eternal soul, 

Thou hadst better have been born a dog, Iago, 

Than answer my waked wrath ! 
Iago. Is't come to this 1 

Oth. Make me to see't ; or (at the least) so prove it 

That the probation bear no hinge, nor loop. 

To hang a doubt on ; or, woe upon thy life ! 

Iago. My noble lord 

Oth. If thou dost slander her, and torture me, 

Never pray more ; abandon all remorse ; 

On horror's head, hoi'rors accumulate ; 

Do deeds to make HeptVen weep, all earth amazed, 

For nothing canst tho*u to damnation add 

Greater than that, {hurls Mm away ; starts up, and paces to 
and fro.) 
Iago. 0, grace ! 0, Heaven defend me ! {rising) 

Are you a man f have you a soul, or sense 7 

Heaven be wi' you ; mine oflBce take. Oh, wretched fool! 

That liv'st to make thine honesty a vice — 

0, monstrous world ! Take note, take note, 0, world, 

To be direct and honest is not safe. 

I thank you for this profit; and, from hence, 

I'll love no friend, since love breeds such offence, {going, r.) 
Oth. Nay, stay ! {crosses, and sinks on seat, l.) Thou should'st be 

honest. 
Iago. I should be wise ; for honesty's a fool, 

And loses that it works for. 
Oth. By the world, 

I think my wife be honest, and think she's not ; 

I think that thou art just, and think thou'rt not. 

I'll have some })roof ; her name, that was as fresh 

As Dian's visage, is now begrim'd, and black 

As mine own face * 



* If there be cords or knives, 
Poison, or fire, or suffocaLing streams, 
I'U not endure it. 



ACT ni.] OTHELLO. 47 

Would I were satisfied ! {rises, and paces to and fro.) 
Iago {coldly). I see, sir, 5^011 are eaten up with passion ; 

I do repent me that I pat it to you. 

You would be satisfied 1 
0th, {stopping suddenly). Would 1 Nay, I will ! 
Iago. And may ; but how 1 how satisfied, my lord 1 

AVould you, the supervism-, {grossly gape on 1 

Behold her — —• 
0th. Death and damnation ! Oh ! {paces to and fro.) 

Iago. It were a tedious difficulty, I think. 

To bring them to that prospect ; damn them, then, 

If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster, 

IMore than their own. What tiien ? how then 1 

What shall I say 1 where's satisfaction 1 

If imputation, and strong circumstances, 

Which lead directly to the door of truth, 

Will give you satisfaction, you may have it. 
0th, Give me a living reason she's disloyal. 
Iago. I do not like the office ; 

* But, sith I am entered in this cause so far, 

Pricked to't by foolish honesty and love, 

I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately ; 

And, being troubled with a raging tooth, 

I could not sleep. 

There are a kind of men so loose of soul, 

That in their sleep will mutter their affairs. 

One of this kind is Cassio; 

In sleep I heard him say — Siceet Desdemona, 

Let us be wary ; let us hide our loves ! 

And then, sir, would he gripe, and wring my band ; 

Cry— Oil, sweet creature / 

And then cry — Cursed fate, that gave thee to the Moor ! 
0th, { pacing to and fro) Oh monstrous! monstrous! 
Iago. Nay, this was but his dream. 
0th. But this denoted a foregone conclusion. 
Iago. 'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream ; 

And this may help to thicken other proofs, 

That do demonstrate thinly. 
0th. (l. c). I'll tear her all to pieces, {going toward steps, c, then 

halting on them.) 
Iago. Nay, but be wise — yet we see nothing done ; 

She may be honest, yet. Tell me but this : 

Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief, 

Spotted with strawberries, in your wife's handl 
0th. I gave her such a one ; 'twas my first gift. 
Iago. I know not that ^ but such a handkerchief 

(I am sure it was your wife's), did I to-day 

See Cassio wipe his beard with. 

0th. {rushing hack). If it be that 

Iago. If it be that, or any that was hers, 

It speaks against her with the other proofs. 
0th. Oh, that tlie slave had forty tliousand lives I 

One is too poor, too weak for my revenge \ 

Now do I see 'tis true. Look here, Iago; 

All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven — - 

'Tis gone ! (c.) 

Arise, black vengeance, frbm thy hollow cell I 



48 OTHELLO. [act m. 

Yield up, love, thy crown and hearted throne 

To tyrannous hate ! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, 

For 'tis of aspick's tongues ! 
Iago. . Pray, be content. 

0th. Oh, blood ! Iago, blood ! (cj'osses ) 
Iago. Patience, I say ; your mind, perhaps, may change. 
0th. Never, Iago ! * . 

By yon marble heaven, (kneeling) 

In the due reverence of a sacred vow 

I here engage my words. 
Iago. Do not rise yet. {crosses^ and kneels hy Ids side) 

Witness, ye ever-burning lights above. 

You elements that clip us round about, 

Witness, that here Iago doth give up 

The execution of his wit, hand, heart. 

To wronged Othello's service. Let him command, 

And to obey shall be in me remorse. 

What bloody work so'er. 
0th. (rising). I greet thy love, 

Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous, 

And will upon the instant put thee to't ; 

Within these three days let me hear thee say, 

That Cassio's not alive. 
Iago. My friend is dead ; 

'Tis'done, at your request, (rises) But let her live. 
0th. Damn her, lewd minx ! Oh, damn her ! 

Come, go with me apart ; I will withdraw. 

To furnish me with some swift means of death 

For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant ! 
Iago, I am your own forever ! {sinks on Ms knees, and raises 7ds 
Jiand as the scene closes in.) 

SCENE II. — Cyprus. Another apartment in the castle^ 
Enter Desdemona and Emilia, e. 1 e. 

Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia? 

Emi. I know not, madam. 

Des. Believe me. 

And but my noble Moor 

Is true of mind, and made of no such baseness 

As jealous creatures are, it were enough 

To put him to ill-tliinking. 
Emi. Is he not jealous ? 

Des. Who, he 1 I think the sun, where he was born, 

Drew all such humors from him. 
Emi. Look, where he comes. 

Des. I will not leave him now, till Cassio 

Be called to him. 

* Like to the Pontic Sea, 
Whose icj' current and compulsive course 
Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on 
To the Propontic and the Hellespont ; 
Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, 
Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love, 
Till that a capable and wide revenge 
Swallow thcni up. (kneels.) 



ACT m.] OTHELLO. 49 



Enter Othello, l. 1 e. Emilia draws hack, r. 2 b. 

How is't with you, my lord-l 
0th. (c). Well, my good lady, {aside) Oh, hardness to dissemble ! 

{aloud ) How do you, Desdemona ? 
Des. (r. c). Well, my good lord. 

0th. Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady. 
Des. It yet hath felt no age, nor known no sorrow. 
0th. This argues fruitfulness, and liberal heart — 

Hot, hot, and moist — this hand of yours requires 

A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer, 

Much castigation, exercise devout ; 

For here's a young and sweating devil here, 

That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, 

A frank one. 
Des. You may, indeed, say so ; 

For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart. 
0th.. a liberal hand ! The hands, of old. gave hearts, 

But our new heraldry is — hands, not hearts ! {crosses to L.) 
Des. I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise. 
0th. What promise, chuck? {turns hack.) 
Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you. 
0th. I have a salt and sullen rheum offends me — 

Lend me thy handkerchief. 
Des. Here, my lord. 

0th. That which I gave you. 

Des. I have it not about me. 

0th. Not ? 

Des. No, indeed, my lord. 

0th. That is a fault. That handkerchief 

Did an Egyptian to my mother give ; 

She was a charriier, and could almost read 

The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept it, 

'Twould make her amiable, and subdue my father 

Entirely to her love ; but, if she lost it, 

Or made a gift of it, my father's ej^e 

Should hold her loathly, and his spirits should hunt 

After new fancies. She, dying, gave it me 

And bade me, when my fate would have me wived, 

To give it her. I did so, and take heed on't ; 

Make it a darling like your precious eye ; 

To lose, or give't away, were such perdition, 

As nothing else could match. 
Des. Is it possible ? 

0th. 'Tis true ; thei'e's magic in the web of it. 

A Sybil, that had numbered in the world 

The sun to make two hundred compasses, 

In her prophetic fury sewed the work. 

The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk. 

And it was dyed in mummy, which the skillful 

Conserved of maidens' hearts. 
Des. Indeed ! is't true ? 

0th. Most veritable ; therefore look to' t well. 
Des. Then would to Heaven that I had never seen it ! 
0th. Ha ! wherefore ] 
Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash? 



5 otheijLO. [agt ni, 

0th. Is't lost 1 is't gone? Speak, is it out o' the way 1 

Des. Heaven bless us ! 

0th. Say you ? 

Des. It is not lost ; but what, an' if it were 1 

0th. Ha! 

Des. I say it is not lost. 

0th. Fetch't! let me see it ! 

Des. Why, so I can, sir,~but I will not now. 

This is a trick to put me from my suit : — 

I pray, let Cassio be received again. 
0th. Fetch me that handkerchief ; my mind misgives. 
Des. Come, come : 

You'll never meet a more sufficient man. 
0th. The handkerchief ! 
Des. a man that, all his time, 

Hath founded his good fortunes on your love ; 

Shared dangers with you 

0th. The handkerchief ! 

Des. In sooth, you are to blame. 

0th. Away ! 

[Exit Othello, excitedly, l. 1 e. 
Emi. {advancing). Is not this man jealous 1 
Des. I ne'er saw this before. 

Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief ; 

I'm most unhappy in the loss of it. 
Emi. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man. 

Look you, Cassio, and my husband. 

Enter Iago and Cassio, r. 1 e. 

Iago {aside, to Cassio). There is no other way ; 'tis she must do't; 

And, lo, the happiness ! Go, and importune her. 
Des. (c). How now, good Cassio 1 What's the news with you? 

(Emilia crosses otter to Iago in the background.) 
Cas. (r. c). Madam, my former suit.* 
Des. Alas ! thrice gentle Cassio, 

My advocation is not now in tune ; 

My lord is not my lord ; nor should I know him. 

Were he in favor, as in humor, altered.f 

You must awhile be patient ; 

What I can do, I will ; and more I will, 

Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you. 

* I do beseech you 
That by your virtuous means I may again 
Exist, and be a member of his love 
Whom I with all the duty of my heart 

Entirely honor ; I would not be delay'd. j 

If my oifence be of such mortal kind 
That nor my service past nor present sorrows 
Nor purposed merit in futurity 
Can ransom me into his love again, 
But to know so must be mj"^ benefit ; 
So shall I clothe me in a forced content 
And shut myself up in some other course 
To fortune's alms. 

+ So help me every spirit sanctified, 
As I have spoken for you all mj" best. 
And stood within the blank of his displeasure 
For my free speech. 



ACT in.] OTHELLO. :51 

Iago. Is my lord angry ? 

Emi. He went hence but now, 

And certainly, in strange unquietness. 
Iago. Can he be angry 1 I have seen the cannon, 

When it hath blown his ranks into the air, 

And, like the devil, from his very arm 

Puffed his own brother — and can he be angry? 

Something of moment, then ; I will go meet him — 

There's matter in't, indeed, if he be angry. 
Des. I pr'ythee, do so. [Exit Iago, L.l ^. 

Something, sure, of state 

Hath puddled his clear spirit ; and, in such cases, 

Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, 

Though great ones are their object. 

Nay, we must think, men are not gods,^ 

Nor of them look for such observances, 

As fit the bridal. 
Emi. Pray Heaven it be state matters, as you think. 

And no conception, nor no jealous toy, 
' Concerning you. 
Des. Alas, the day ! I never gave him cause. 

Emi. But jealous souls will not be answered so ; 

They are not ever jealous for the cause, 

But jealous for they're jealous. 'Tis a monster 

Begot ui)on itself, born on itself: 
Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind ! 
Emi. Lady, amen ! 
Des. I will go seek him. Cassio, walk here about ; 

If I do find him fit, I'll move jom- suit, 

And seek to effect it to my uttermost. 
Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship! 

[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia, l. ; Cassio, r.* 

CUETAIN. 



* In the Booth version the Act ends thus : 

Des. I pr'ythee do so. {Exit Iago, l. 1 b. 

Something sure of state, 

Either from Venice or some unhatch'd practice 

Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, 

Hath puddled his clear spirit ; and in such cases 

Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, 

Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so ; 

For let our finger ache, and it indues 
, Our other healthful members even to that sense 

Of pain ; nay, we must thuik men are not gods, 

Nor of them look for such obsei-vancy 

As fits the bridal. Beshrew me miich, Emilia, 

I was, unhandsome warrior as I am, 

Ari'aigning his unkindness with my soul ; 

But now I find I had suborn'd the witness, 

And he's indicted falsely. 

I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout ; 

If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, 

And seek to effect it to my uttermost. 
Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship. ^Exit, R. 1 E. 

Emi. Pray Heaven it be state matters, as yoti think, 

And no conception nor no jealous toy 

Concerning you. 
Des. Alas, the day, I never gave him cause I 

Emi. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so ; 

They are not ever jealous for the cause, 



52 OTHELIiO. [act IV, 



ACT IV. 
SCEN"E I. — Cyprus. An apartment in the castle.* 
Enter Othello and Iago, k. 1 e. 

0th. (Jet me some poison, Tago, this night. I'll not expostulate with 
her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, 
lago ! 

Iago, Bo it not with poison ; strangle her in her bed, even the bed 
she hath contaminated. 

0th. Good, good ! the justice of it pleases ; very good. 

lAeo. And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker — you shall hear more 
by midnight, {trumpet without, l.) 

0th. Excellent good. 

What trumpet is that same 1 

Iago. Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico, 

Come from the duke ; and see, your wife is with him. 

Enter Lodovico and Desdemona, l. 1 b. 

LoD. Save you, worthy general ! 

0th. With all my heart, sir. 

LoD. The Duke and Senators of Venice greet you. ( gives Othello 

a letter.) 
0th. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures, {retires to r., and 

reads the letter.) 
Des. And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico 1 
Iago. I am very glad to see you, signior j 

Welcome to Cyprus, 
LoD. I thank you. How does lieutenant Cassio 1 

Iago. Lives, sir. 
Bes. Cousin, there is fallen between him and my lord, 

An unkind breach ; but you shall make all well. 
0th. {partly aside). Are you sure of that 1 
Des. My lord ! 

0th. {reads). This fail you not to do, as you will 

LoD. He did not call; he's busy in the paper. 

Is there division 'tween my lord and Cassio ?^ 
Des. a most unhappy one. I would do much 

To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. 
0th. Fire and brimstone ! 
Des. My lord! 

0th. Ai"e you wise 1 

Des. What, is he angry 1 {crosses to c.) 
LoD. May be, the letter moved him. 

But jealous for they're jealous ; 'tis a monster 

Begot upon itself, born on itself. 
Des. Heaven keep that ny^nster from Othello's mind ! 
Emi. Lady, amen ! 

CURTAIN. 

* In the Booth version the whole of this scene is omitted, and the Fourth Act 
commences with scene 'Z of this version. 



ACT IV.] OTHELLO. 53 

For, as I think, they do command him home, 

Deputing Cassio in his government. 
Des. By my troth, I am glad on't. 
0th. Indeed ! 

Des. My lord ! 

0th. I am glad to see you mad, 

Des. How, sweet Othello ? 

0th. {crossing to l., and striking her). Devil ! 

Des. 1 have not deserved this ! {weeps.) 
LoD. My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, 

Though I should swear I saw't. 'Tis very much ; - 

Make her amends ; she weeps. 
0th. devil, devil I 

If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, 

Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. 

Out of my sight ! 
Des. I will not stay to offend you. ( going, R.) 

LoD. Truly, an obedient lady, 

I do beseech your lordship, call her back. 
0th. ' Mistress ! 

Des. My lord! 

0th. What would you with her, sir % 

LoD. Who, I my lord ? 
0th. Ay ; you did wish that I would make her turn. 

Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, 

And turn again ; and she can weep, sir, weep ; 

And she's obedient — as you say, obedient — 

Very obedient, {to Di sdemona) Proceed you in your tears — 

{to Louovico) Concerning this, sir — Oh, well-painted passion ! 

I am commanded here — {to Desdemona) Get you away ; 

I'll send for you, anon, {to Lodovico) Sir, I obey the man- 
date. 

And will return to Venice, {to Desdemona) Hence, avaunt ! 

Cassio shall have my place, {to Lodovico) And, sir, to-night 

I do entreat that we may sup together. 

You're welcome, sir, to Cyprus, {aside) Goats and monkeys ! 
[Exeunt Othello and Desdemona, r. 1 e. 
LoD. Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate 

Call all-in-all sufficient 1 This the noble nature 

Whom passion could not shake ? whose solid virtue 

The shot of accident, nor dart of chance, 

Could neither graze nor pierce % 
Iago. He is much changed. 

LoD. What, strike his wife ! 
Iago. 'Faith, that was not so well ; yet would I knew 

That stroke would prove the worst. 
LoD. Is it his use? 

Or did the letters work upon his blood, 

And new-create this fault 1 
Iago. Alas ! alas ! 

It is not honesty in me to speak 

What I have seen and known. You shall observe him, 

And his own courses will denote him so, 

That I may save my speech. Do but go after. 

And mark how he continues. 
LoD. I am sorry that I am deceived in him, \^Exeu7it, r. 1 e. 



54 OTHELLO. [act IV. 

SCENE II. — Cyprus, AnotJier apartment in the castle, 
Emilia and Othello enter, c, and advance. 

0th. (c). You have seen nothing, then 1 

Emi. (l. c). Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect. 

0th. Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together. 

Emi. But then I saw no harm ; and then I heard 

Each syllable that breath made up between them. 

0th. What, did they never whisper '? 

Emi. Never, my lord. 

0th. Nor send you out o' the way ? 

Emi. Never ! 

0th. To fetch her fan, her mask, her gloves, nor nothing 1 

Emi. Never, my lord. 

0th. ■ That's strange ! 

Eml I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest. 

Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other, 
Remove your thought ; it doth abuse your bosom. 
If any Wretch hath put this in your head, 
Let Heaven requite it with the serpent's curse ! 
For, if she be not honest, chaste and true. 
There's no man happy ; the purest of her sex 
Is foul as slander. 

0th. Bid her come hither ; go ! [Exit Emilia, r. 1 e. 
She says enough — yet she's a simple bawd 
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore, 
A closet-lock-and-key of villainous secrets ; 
And yet she'll kneel and pray — I've seen her do't! 

Enter Desdbmona and Emilia, r. 1 e. 

Des. My lord, what is your will % 

0th. Pray, chuck, come hither, 

Des. What, is your pleasure/? {crosses to g.) 

0th. Let me see your eyes — 

Look in my face. 
Des. What horrible fancy's this ? 

0th. {to Emilia). Some of your function, mistress ; 

Leave procreants alone, and shut the door ; 

Cough or cry — hem, if anybody come ; 

Your mystery, your mystery — nay, dispatch. [Exit Emilia, c. 
Des. {kneels). Upon my knees, what doth your speech import % 

1 understand a fury in your words, 

But not the words. 
0th. Why, what art thou % 

Des. {sinks at his feet). Your wife, my lord — your true and loyal 

wife, 
0th. Come, swear it, damn thyself; 

Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves 

Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double-damned ; 

Swear — thou art honest. 
Des. Heaven doth' truly know it. 

0th. Heayen truly knows that tiiou art, false as hell. 
Des. (rising). To whom, my lord 1 With whom % 

How am I false % 



ACT IV.] OTSEiLLO. 55 

Oth. (c, weeping). Oh, Desdemona ! — away ! away ! away 1 

{crosses to l.) 
Des. Alas, the heavy day ! {rising) Why do you weep 1 

Am I the occasion of these tears, my lord ] 

If, haply, you my father do suspect 

An instrument of this your calhng back, 

Lay not your blame on me. If you have lost him, 

Why, I have lost him too. 
Oth. Had it pleased Heaven 

To try me with affliction ; had he rained 

All kind of sores and shames on my bare head ; 

Steeped me in poverty to the very lips ; 

Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes ; 

I should have found, in some part of my soul, 

A drop of patience ; — but, alas ! to make me 

A fixed figure fpr the time of scorn 

To point his slow, unmoving finger at. {she sinks on her knees) 

Yet could I bear that too — well, very well : — 

But there, where I have garnered up my heart ! 
m Where either I must live, or bear no life ; 

The fountain from the which my current runs, 

Or else dries up ; to be discarded thence — 

Or keep it as a cistern, for foul toads 

To knot and gender in ! Turn thy complexion there, 

Patience — thou young and rose-lipped cherubim — 

Ay, there look grim as hell ! 
Des. {rising, and clasping her hands). I hope my noble lord es- 
teems me honest. 
Oth. Oh, ay ! as summer flies are in the shambles, 

That quicken e'en with blowing. Oh, thou weed ! 

Who art so lovely-fair, and smell'st so sweet, 

That the sense aches at thee — 'would thou had'st ne'er been 
born ! 
Des. Alas ! what ignorant sin have I committed % 
Oth. Was this fair paper j this most goodly book, 

Made to write whore upon ? What committed 1 

Committed ! — Oh thou public commoner !* 

Heaven stops the nose at it^ and the moon winks ; 

The bawdy wind, that kisses all it meets. 

Is hushed within the hollow mine of earth, 

And will not hear it ! What committed ? 

Impudent strumpet 1 {crosses to and fro.) 
Des. By Heaven, you do me wrong ! 

Oth. {stopping s^iddenly). Are not you a strumpet '? 
Des. No, as I am a Christian ! {sinks on her knees.) 
Oth, I cry you mercy, then ; 

I took you for that cunning whore of Venice 

That married with Othello. You, mistress, 

That have the office opposite to St. Peter, 

And keep the gate of hell. 

* Oth. I should make very f ors;es of my cheeks, 

That would to cinders burn up modesty 

Did I but speak thy deed— what committed t 

What, not a drab ? 
Des. No, as I hope to be saved ! 

Oth. (m doubt). Is't possible r 
Des. Oh, Heaven forgive us ! 



56 OTHELLO. [act IV. 



Re-enter Emilia. 

You, you — ay, you ! {throicing her purse) 

We've done our course ; there's money for your pains ; 

I pray you turn the key, and keep our counsel. 

[Exit Othello, r. 1 e. 

Emi. Alas ! what does this gentleman conceive 1 

How do you, my good lady 7 {raises up Desdemona) 
Good madam, what's the matter with my lord % 

Des. With whom 1 

Emi. With my lord, madam 1 

Des. Who is thy lord 1 

Emi. He that is your's, sweet lady.* 

Des. I have none. Do not talk to me, Emilia ; 

Pr'ythee, call thy husband hither, {crosses to r.) 

Emi. Here is a change, indeed ! ' [Exit Emilia, l. 

Des. 'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet. 

* The Booth version proceeds thus : 

Des. I have none ; do not talk to me, Emilia ; 
I cannot weep, nor answer have I none 
But what should go by water, 
Emi. I would you had never seen him ! 
Des. So would not I ; my love doth so approve him, 

That even his stubbornness, his checks, his frowns, 
Have grace and favor in them. 

Pr'ythee, to-night lay on my bed my wedding sheets. 
Good faith, how foolish are our minds ! 
If I do die before thee, pr'ythee, shroud me 
In one of those same sheets. 
Emi. Come, come, you talk. 

Des. My mother had a maid called Barbara ; 

She was in love, and he she loved proved mad 
And did forsake her ; she had a song of " willow ,'* 
An old thing 'twas, but it expressed her fortune, 
And she died singing it ; that song to-night 
Will not go from my mind ; I have much to do 
But to go hang my head all at one side 
And sing it like poor Barbara. 
(singing) The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, 
Sing all a green Avillow ; 
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, 

Sing willow, willow, willow ; 
The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans ; 

Sing willow, willow, willow ; 
Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones \ 

Sing willow, willow, willow ; 
Sing all a green willow must be my garland. 
Let nobody blame him ; his scorn I approve — 
Nay, that's not next. Hark I who is't that knocks ? 
Emi. It's the wind. 

Des. (singing). I call'd my love false love ; but what said he then ? 
Sing Avillow, willow, willow. 
Call thy husband hither. 
Emi Here's a change indeed ! [Exit, c. 

Des. 'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet. 

How have I been behaved, that he might stick 
The small'st opinion on my least misuse ? 

Re-enter Emilia, with Iago. 

Iago. What is your pleasure, madam ? How is't with you ? 
Des. I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes 

Do it with gentle means and easy tasks ; 

He might have chid me so ; for, in good faith. 

I am a child to chiding. 
Iaoo. What's the niiitter, lady ? 



ACT IV.] OTHELLO. 57 



Enter Iago and Emilia, l. 

Iago (c). What is your pleasure, madam'? How is it with you *? 

Emi. (l. c). Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her, 
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her, . 
As true hearts cannot bear. 

Des. (k. c). Am I that name, Iago 1 

Iago. What name, fair lady ? 

Des. Such as, she says, my lord did say I was. 

Emi. He called her — whore ! a beggar in his drink, 
Could not have laid such terms upon his callet. 

Iago. Why did he so 1 

Des. I do not know ; I am sure, I am none such. 

Iago. Do not weep, do not weep. Alas, the day ! 

Emi. Hath she forsook so many noble matches, 

Her father and her country, and her friends, 

To be called whore 1 Would it not make one weep ? 

Iago. Beshrew him for it ! 
• How comes this trick upon him 1 

Des. Nay, Heaven doth know. 

Emi. T will be hanged, if some eternal villain, 
Some busy and insinuating rogue. 
Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office. 
Have not devised this slander. I'll be hanged else. 

Iago. Fie ! there is no such man ; it is impossible, {retires up the 
stage.) 

Des. (l. c). If any such there be. Heaven pardon him ! 

Emi. a halter pardon him ! 

Why should he call her whore '? Who keeps her company ? 
What place 1 what time 1 what form 1 what likelihood 1 
The Moor's abused by some outrageous knave, 
Some base, notorious knave, some scurvy fellow : — 

Heaven, that such companions thou'dst unfold, 
And put in every honest hand a whip. 

To lash the rascal naked through the world ! 

Iago {advances). Speak within door*— you are a fool ! Go to. 

Des. 0, good Iago, 

What shall I do to win my lord again 1 

Good friend, go to him ; for, by this light of Heaven, 

1 know not how I lost him, (kneels) Here I kneel: — 
If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love. 

Either in discourse of thought or actual deed ; 

Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense. 

Delighted them in any other form ; 

Or that I do not yet, and ever did. 

And ever will — (though he do shake me off 

To beggarly divorcement) — love him dearly, 

Comfort forswear me ! {t?iey raise her) Unkindness may do 

much ; 
And his unkindness may defeat my life. 
But never taint my love. 



* Emi. Oh, fie upon them ! Some such squire he was 
That turn'd your wit the seamy side without, 
And made you to suspect me with the Moor. 

Iago. {shaj^ply). You are a fool ! Go to 



58 OTHELLO. [aGTIV. 

Iago (l. c). I pray you, be content ; 'tis but his humor. 

The business of the state does him offence, 

And he does chide with you. 

Des. If 'twere no other 

Iago. It is but so, I warrant you. 

vjt.o in, and weep not ; all things shall be well. 

[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia, k. 1 e.* 

Enter Roderigo, c. 

How now, Roderigo ? 

Rod. I do not find that thou deal'st justly with me. 

Iago, What in the contrary 1 

Rod. Every day thou doff'st me with some device, Iago ; and rather/ 
as it seems to me, thou keep'st from me all conveniency, than suppliest 
me with the least advantage of hope. I will, indeed, no longer endure 
it ; nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what already I have fool- 
ishly suffered. 

Iago. Will you hear me, Roderigo 1 

Rod. 'Faith, I have heard too much ; for your words and perform- 
ances are no kin together. 

Iago. You charge me most unjustly. 

Rod. With naught but truth. I have wasted myself out of my means. 
The jewels you have had from me to deliver to Desdemona, would have 
corrupted a votarist ; you have told me — she has received them, and 
returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquit- 
tance ; but I find none. 

Iago. Well ; go to ; very Aveli. 

Rod. Very well! go to ! I cannot go to, man ; nor is it very Well ! 
By this hand, I say, 'tis very scurvy ; and begin to find myself fobbed 
in it. 

Iago. Very well. 

Rod, I tell you, 'tis not very well. I will make myself known to 
Desdemona; if she will return me my jewels, I will give over my suit, 
and repent my unlawful solicitation ; if not, assure yourself, I'll seek 
satisfaction of you. 

IagO (c). You have said now. 

Rod. Ay •, and I have said nothing but what I protest intendment of 
doing. 

Iago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee ; and even from this 
time, do build on thee better opinion than ever before. Give me thy 
hand, Roderigo ; thou hast taken against me a most just exception ; 
but yet, I protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affairs. 

Rod. (l. c). It hath not appealed. 

Iago. I grant, indeed, it hath not appeared; and your suspicion is 
not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that within 
thee, indeed, which 1 have greater reason to believe now than ever — I 
mean, purpose, courage, and valor — this night show it. If thou the 
next night following enjoy'st not Desdemona, take me from this world 
with treachery, and devise engines for my life. 

Rod. Well, what is it 1 Is it within reason and compass ? 

Iago. Sir, there is a special command come from Venice, to depute 
Cassio in Othello's place. 

* In the Booth version all exeunt, and the scene changes to a street scene, in- 
stedd of, as in this version, further on. 



ACT IV.] ' OTHELLO. 59 

Rod. Is that true? Why, then, Othello and Desdemona return again 
to Venice, 

I AGO. Oh, no ; he goes into Mauritania, and taketh away with him 
the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered here by some acci- 
dent — wherein the none can be so determinate as the removing of Cas- 
sio. 

Rod. How do you mean — removing of him 1 

Iago. Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place — knocking 
out his brains. 

Rod. And that you would have me do 1 

Iago. Ay ; if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups to- 
night with a harlot, and thither will I go to him — he knows not yet of 
his honorable fortune. If you will watch his going thence — which I 
will fashion. to fall out between twelve and one — you may take him at 
your pleasure ; I will be near to second your attempt, and he shall fall 
between us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with me ; I 
will show you such a necessity in his death, that you shall think your- 
self bound to put it on him. 

Rod. I will hear further reason for this. 

I4G0. And you shall be satisfied. [Mxeunt, l. 1 e. 

SCENE 111.— Cyprus. The castle gates.* 

Enter Lodovico, Othello, Desdemona, Emilia, Marco, and Paulo, r% 

LoD. I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further. 

0th. Oh, pardon me ; 'twill do me good to walk. 

LoD. Madam, good night, {crosses, l.) I humbly thank your lady* 

ship. 
Des. Your honor is most welcome. 
Oth. Will you walk, sir 1 

{Exeunt Lodovico, Paulo, and Marco, i.. 

Oh, Desdemona 

Des. My lord 1 

Oth. Get you to bed on the instant ; I will return forthwith. Dis- 
miss your attendant there ; look it be done. {Exit^ l. 
Des. I will, ray lord ! 

Emi. How goes it now 1 he look& gentler than he did. 
Des. He says he will return immediately ; 

He hath commanded me to go to bed, 

And bade me to dismiss you. 
Emi. Dismiss me ? 

Des. It was his bidding; therefore, good Emilia, 

Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu ; 

We must not now displease him. {crosses to r.) 
Emi. I would you had never seen him ! [Exeunt, &>, 

SCENE lY.— Cyprus. A street, 

Enter Iago and Roderigo, l. 3 e. 

Iago. Here, stand behind this bulk ; straight will he come ; 
Wear thy good rapier bare ; and put it home. 
It makes us, or it mars us ,' think of that. 
And fix most firm thy resolution. 

* This scene is omitted in the Bootli version. 



60 OTHELIiO. ^ [act IV. 

Rod. Be near at hand ; I may miscarry in't. 

Iago. Here, at thy hand ; be bold, and take thy stand, {retires a lit- 
tle L.) 

Eon. I have no great devotion to the deed ; 

And yet he has giving me satisfying reasons — 
'Tis but a man gone — forth my sword ; he dies, (stands aside 
hy the pillars, r.) 

Iago {advancing, c). Now, whether he kill Cassio, 
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, 
Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo, 
He calls me to a restitution large 
Of gold and jewels, that I fobbed from him 
As gifts to Desdemona : 
It must not be. If Cassio do remain- 
He hath a daily beauty in his life 
That makes me ugly ; and besides, the Moor 
May unfold me to him ; there stand I in peril. 
No, he must die. But so ! I hear him coming, {stands aside 
again^ l. 3 e.) 

Enter Cassio, l. 1 e. 

Rod. I know his gait: 'tis he: — Villain, thou diest! {lie runs anil 

thrusts at Cassio.) 
Cas. That thrust had been mine enemy, indeed, 

But that my coat is better than thou think'st ; 
I will make proof of thine, {draws, and wounds Roderigo, 
who falls.) 
Rod. Oh, I am slain ! 

[Iago advances, cuts Cassio behind in the leg, and exits, r. 1 e. 
Cas. I am maimed forever ! (Cassio /aW«.) 

Help, ho ! — murder ! murder ! 
Rod. Oh, villain that I am ! 
Cas. What, ho ! no watch 1 no passage "? murder ! murder !* 

* In the Booth version there is a little variation made here ; it is made to run 
thus : 

Enter Lodovico and Gratiano, at a distance, 

Gba. 'Tis some mischance ; the cry is verj"^ direful. 

Cas. O, help I 

LoD. Hark ! 

Rod. O, wretched villain ! 

LoD. Two or three groan : it is a heavy night : 

These may be counterfeits ; let's think't unsafe 

To come into the cry without more help. 
Rod. Nobody come ? Then shall I bleed to death. 

Re-enter Iago, with a light. 

Iago. Who's there ? whose noise is this that cries on murder ? 

LoD. We do not know. 

Iago. Did not you hear a cry ? 

Cas. Here, here I for Heaven's sake, help me I 

Iago. What are you here that cry so grievously ? 

Cas. Iago ? O, I am spoil'd, undone by villams ! 

Give me some help. 
Iago. O me, lieutenant ! what villains have done this ? 
Cas. I think that one of them is hereabout, 

And cannot make awa3^ 
Iago. O treacherous villains 1 

{to Lodovico and Gratiano) What are you there ? come in and give 
some help. 



ACT IV.] OTHEIiLp. 61 

Rod. Nobody come 1 then shall I bleed to death. 

Re-enter Iago, r., loith naked sword and a light. 

Iago. What are you here, that cry so grievously 7 
Oas. Iago ! Oh, I am spoiled, undone by villains ! 

Give me some help. 
Iago. me, lieutenant ! what villains have done this 1 
Gas. I think that one of them is hereabout, 

And cannot make away. 
Rod. Oh, help me ! here ! 

Gas. That's one of them. 

Iago. murderous slave I villain ! (stabs Roderigo.) 

Rod, Oh, damned Iago ! oh, inhuman dog ! Oh — oh — oh 1 (dies.) 
Iago. Kill men i' the dark? Where be these bloody thieves ? 

How silent is this town ! Ho ! murder ! murder ! 

Miter LoDovico and Geatiano, l. 

What may you be 1 are you of good or evil 1 
LoD. As you shall prove us, praise us. 
Iago. Signior Lodovico ? 
LoD. He, sir. 

Iago. I cry you mercy ! here's Gassio, hurt by villains ! 
Gra. Gassio ] (Gratiano a7id Lodovico raise and support Gassio.) 
Iago. How is it, brother 1 

Gas. My leg is cut in two. 

Iago. Marry, Heaven forbid ! 

Know we this face, or no 1 (turns and looks on Rodeeigo) 

Alas ! my friend, and my dear countryman, 

Roderigo ! No ! — yes, sure ! 0, Heaven, Roderigo ! 

Enter Emilia, with a lights r. d. 

Emi. 'Las, what's the matter ? what's the matter, husband 1 
Iago. Gassio hath here been set on i' the dark, 

By Roderigo, and fellows that are 'scaped ; 

He's almost slain, and Roderigo dead. 
Emi. Alas, good gentleman I alas, good Gassio ! 
Iago. Emilia, run you to the citadel, 

And tell my lord and lady what hath happened. 

[Servants hear off Roderigo, r. ; and exit Emilia, l. 1 e. 

Will you go on, I pray ! (aside) This is the night. 

That either makes me, or foredoes me quite. [Exeunt, l. 1 e. 

CURTAIN. 



Rod. O, help me here ! 

Cas. That's one of them. 

Iago. O murderous slave ! O villain ! {stabs Roderigo.) 

Rod. O damn'd Iago ! O inhuman dog ! 

Iago. Kill men i' the dark ! Where be these bloody thieves ? 

How silent is this town ! Ho ! murder ! murder I 

What may j'^ou be ? are you of good or evil ? etc. 

But this, if not incorrect, is at least injudicious, because it thus makes Lodovico 
and Gratiano present on the scene when Iago kills Roderigo, to which it was cer- 
tainly never intended there should be any witnesses.— Ed. 



62 OTHEIiLO, |aCTV, 



ACT V, 

SCENE I. — Cyprus. A hed-chaTriber in the castle. DESUKiaoifA in 

bed, asleep. 

Othello discovered at the window, c, 

0th. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul — 

Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars ! 
It is the cause, {advances) Yet, I'll not shed her blood ; 
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, 
And smooth as monumental alabaster. 
Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. 
Put out the light, and then — Put out the light? (^pauses, c.) 
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, 
I can again thy former light restore, 
Should I repent me ; but once put out thine, 
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, 
I know not where is that Promethean heat 
That can thy light relume. When I have plucked the rose 
I cannot give it vital growth again ; 

It needs must wither. I'll smell it on the tree, {goes to bed- 
side and kisses Desdemona) 

balmy breath, that dost almost persuade 

Justice herself to break her sword — Once more, (kisses 7ier) 

Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee, 

And love thee after. Once more, and this the last — {kisses 
her)* 

She wakes. 
Des. Who's there 1 Othello ? 

0th. Ay, Desdemona. 

Have you prayed to-night, Desdemona 1 
Des. Ay, my lord. 
0th. If you bethink yourself of any crime. 

Unreconciled as yet to Heaven and grace. 

Solicit for it straight. 
Des. Alas, my lord, what may you mean by thati 
0th. Well, do it, and be brief — I will walk by ; (crosses to E.) 

1 would not kill thy unprepared spirit ; 

No, Heaven forefend ! I would not kill thy soul. 
Des. Talk you of killing 1 
0th. Ay, I do. 

Des. Then Heaven 

Have mercy on me ! 
0th. Amen, with all my heart ! (returning to bedside.) 

Des. If you say so, I hope you will not kill me. 
OiH. Humph! 

Des. And yet I fear you ; for you're fatal, then, 

When your eyes roll so ; why I should fear, I know not. 

Since guilt I know not ; yet, I feel, I fear. 

* So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep, 
But thej-- are cruel tears : this sorrow's heavenly ; 
It strikes where it doth love. 



ACT v.] OTHELLO. €^ 

0th. Think on thy sins, (crossing to and fro.) 
Des. They're loves I bear to you. 

0th. Ay, and for that thou diest. 
Des, That death's unnatural, that kills for loving. 

Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip *? 

Some bloody passion shakes your very frame.'*' 
0th. Peace, and be still ! 

Des. I will so — what's the matter 1 

0th. That handkerchief, which I so loved, and gave thee 

Thou gav'st to Cassio. 
Des. No, by my life and soul ! 

Send for the man, and ask him. 
0th. Sweet soul, take heed — 

Take heed of perjury ; thou'rt on thy death-bed. 
Des. Ay, but not yet to die. 
0th. Yes, presently; 

Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin ; 

For to deny each article with oath, 

Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception 

That I do groan withal. Thou art to die ! 
Des. Then, Lord have mercy on me ! 
0th. I say, amen. 

Des, And have you mercy, too ! 1 never did 

Offend you in my life ; never loved Cassio, 

But with such general warranty of Heaven 

As I might love. I never gave him token. 
0th. Oh, perjured woman ! thou dost stone thy heart, 

And mak'st me call what I intend to do, 

A murder, — which I thought a sacrifice ! 

I saw the handkerchief. 
Des. He found it, then : 

I never gave it him. Send for him hither, 

And let him confess a truth. 
0th, He hath confessed 

Des. What, my lord ? 

0th. That he hath used thee. 

Des. How^ unlawfully'? 
0th. Ay ! 

Des. He will not say so. 

0th. No, his mouth is stopped ; 

Honest lago hath ta'en order for't. 
Des. My fear interprets, then. What, is he dead 1 
0th. Had all his hairs been lives, ray great revenge 

Had stomach for them all. 
Des. Alas! he is betrayed, and I undone ! 
0th. Out, strumpet ! Weep'st thou for him to my face 1 
Des. Oh, banish me, my lord, but kill me not ! 
0th. Down, strumpet ! 
Des. Kill me to-morrow : let me live to-night. 

0th, Nay, an you strive 

Des. But half an hour - 

0th. Being done, 

There is no pause. 
Des. But while I say one praye r ■ ■ 

* These are portents ; but yet I hope, I hope, 
They do not point on me. 



64: OTHELLO. [aCTV. 

Oth. It is too late, {smothers her. Emilia knocks, r. d.) 

Emi. {without). My lord ! my lord ! What, ho ! my lord ! my 

lord ! 
Oth, {alarmed ). What noise is this ? — Not dead 1 not yet quite 
dead ? 

I that am cruel, am yet merciful ; 

I would not have thee linger in thy pain — 

So — so — {stabs her with his dagger.) 
Emi. {without, knocking). What, ho ! my lord ! my lord ! 
Oth. {terrified). Who's there "? 

Emi. {without). Oh, my good lord, I'd speak a word with you. 
Oth. {excitedly and bewildered ). Yes — 'tis Emilia. — By and by. — 
She's dead. 

'Tis like, she comes to speak of Cassio's death ; 

The noise was high. — Ha ! no more of moving ! 

Still as the grave. — Shall she come in I Were't good ? 

I think she stirs again — no ! — What's the best 1 

If she come in, she 11 sure speak to my wife : — 

My wife ! my wife ! What wife 1 — I have no wife I 

Oh, insupportable ! oh, heavy hour ! 

Me thinks, it should be now a huge eclipse 

Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe 

Should yawn at alteration, {sinks on chair, h., completely pros- 
trated. Emilia knocks, l., again) 
Emi. {without). I do beseech you I may speak with you, 

Oh, good my lord ! 
Oth. {startled, after a pause). I had forgot thee. Oh, come in, 
Emilia.* 

Enter Emilia, r. d. 

What's the matter with thee now 1 
Emi. Oh, my good lord, yoiider's foul murder done ! 
Oth. (l. c, near bed, as though to prevent her approaching it). 

What ! now ? 
Emi. But now, my lord ! 
Oth. It is the very error of the moon ; 

She comes more near the earth than she was wont, 

And makes men mad. 
Emi. Cassio, my lord, hath killed a young Venetian 

Called Roderigo, 
Oth. Roderigo killed 1 — 

And Cassio killed 1 
Emi. No, Cassio is not killed. 

Oth. Not Cassio killed? Then, murder's out of tune, 

And sweet revenge grows harsh. 
Des. [faintly). Oh, oh, oh ! (Othello starts ) 

Emi. Alas ! what cry is that '? 
Oth. {terrified ). That : what 1 

Des. Oh ! falsely, falsely murdered ! 
Emi. Out, and alas! it is my lady's voice ! {goes to the bed) 

Help ! help, oh ! help ! — lady, speak again ! 

* {rises, half towards r. d., then jxiuses, and returns). 

Soft ; bj"^ and by. Let me the curtains draw, {pulls the curtains to- 
gether, close, and adjusts his robe) 

Where art thou ? What's the matter with thee now ? (advances, and 
nnlocks k. d.) 



ACT v.] OTHELLO. . 65 

Sweet Desdemona ! oh, sweet mistress, speak ! 
Des. a guiltless death I die. 
Emi. Oh, who has done 

This deed 1 
Des. Nobody ; I myself. Farewell : 

Commend me to ray kind lord — oh, farewell ! {she dies. Oth- 
ello sinks on chair, and speaks wildly.) 
0th. Why, how should she be murdered ? 
Emi. {advancing). Alas ! who knows ? 

0th. You heard her say herself, it was not I. 
Emi. She said so : I must needs report the truth. 
0th. {fiercely). She's like a liar, gone to burning hell :— 

'Twas I that killed her ! 
Emi. Oh, the more angel she, 

And you the blacker devil ! 
0th. She turned to folly, and she was a whore. 
Emi. Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil. 
0th. She was as false as water. 

Emi. Thou art as rash as fire, to say 

• That she was false. Oh, she was heavenly true*! 
0th. Oh, I were damned beneath all depth in hell, 

But that I did proceed upon just grounds 

To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all. 
Emi. My husband ? 
0th. Thy husband. 

Emi. That she .was false to wedlock 1 
0th. Ay, with Cassio, 

Nay, had she been true. 

If Heaven would make me such another world 

Of one entire and perfect chrysolite, 

I'd not have sold her for it. 
Emi. My husband % 

0th. {starting up, and pacing to and fro). What needs this itera- 
tion, woman 1 

I say, thy husband : — dost understand the word % 

My friend, thy husband — honest, honest lago. 
Emi. (c, with energy). If he say so, may his pernicious soul 

Rot half a grain a day ! He lies to the heart : 

She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. 
0th. Ha ! 
Emi. Do thy worst : 

This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven 

Than thou wast worthy her. 
0th. Peace, you were best— 

Emi. Thou hast not half that power to do me harm. 

As I have to be hurt. gull ! dolt ! 

As ignorant as dirt ! Thou hast done a deed (Othello 

draiDs his sword and threatens her) 

I care not for thy sword — I'll make thee known, 

Though 1 lost twenty lives. 

Help ! help ! ho ! help ! {crosses behind Jiim, and rushes out, 
R., and back) 

The Moor has killed my mistress! murder! murder! (Oth- 
ello goes up the stage, returns, and leans upon tJie bed ) 

Enter Montano, Gratiano, and Iago, r. d. 



60 OTsmjLO. [actv. 

Most. What is the matter T 

Emi. {rushing towards the bed). My mistress here lies murdered in 
her bed !— 

Oh, are you come, lago ? You have done well. 

That men must lay their murders on your neck< 

Disprove this, villain, if thou be'st a man : 

He says, thou told'st him that his wife was false, 

I know thou did'st not : thou'rt not such a villain. 

Speak, for my heart is full. 
Iago (r. c.^hehind him Montano and Gratiano). I told him what I 
thought ; and told no more 

Than what he found himself was apt and true. 
Emi. But did you ever tell him, she was false ? 
Iago. I did. 

Emi. You told a lie ; an odious, damned lie ! 

Upon ray soul, a lie — a wicked lie. 

She false with Cassio ? Did you say, with Cassio 1 
Iago. With Cassio, mistress. 

What, are you mad ? I charge you, get you home. 
Emi. Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak ; 

'Tis proper I obey him, but not now. 

Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home. 
0th. Oh! oh! oh! 

Emi. Nay, lay thee down, and roar ; 

For thou hast killed the sweetest innocent 

That e'er did lift up eye. 
0th. {rises). Oh, she was foul ! — ' 

{to Gratiano) I scarce did know you, uncle ; there lies your 
niece. 

Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopped. 

I know, this act shows terrible and grim. 
Gba. {advances to bedside). Poor Desdemona ! I am glad thy 
father's dead ; 

Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief 

Shore his old thread in twain.* 
0th. Co.). 'Tis pitiful ; but yet Iago knows 

That she with Cassio hath the act of shame 

A thousand times committed. Cassio confessed it j 

And she did gratify his amorous works 

With that recognizance and pledge of love 

Which I first gave her. I saw it in his hand : 

It was a handkerchief — an antique token 

Mj' father gave my mother. 
Emi. O Heaven ! heavenly powers I 

That handkerchief thou speak'st of 

I found by fortune, and did give my husband ; 

For often, with a solemn earnestness 

(More than, indeed, belonged to such a trifle), 

He begged of me to steal it. 
Iago. Filth, thou liest ! 

Emi. By Heaven, I do not — I do not, gentlemen! 
0th. Are there no stones in heaven 

* Did lie live now, 
This sight would make him do a desperate turn, 
Yea, curse his better angel from his side, 
And fall to reprobation- 



acttJ mRELLO. 67 

But what serve foi- the thunder ? Freciotrs villain ! (Othello 
makes a pass at I^go. Mont a no disarms Mm. I ago 
tJien stabs EuiJAA, and run& out, k. d. She falhon ili& 
much, B. 
Mo"NS". ($o G^RAiiAJK)). Take you this weapon, 

"Which I have here recovered from the Moor \ 
Come, guard the door without ;; let him not pass^ 
But kill hin> rather, I'll after that same villain. 

\Exeun% Mo^tano and Gratiaso, b. », 
OiH T am not valiajnt, neither, 

But every puny whipstei' gets my sword. 
But why should honor outlive honesty 1 
Let ife go all. 
Emi.* Moor, she was chaste; she loved Ihee, cruel Moor f 
S-o come my soul to Ibliss, as I speak true ; 
So speaking as I think, 1 die — I die ! {dies.) 
Otb. I have another weapon in this chamber ; 

It is a sword of Spain, the iee- brook's temper;; {crosses to the 
table, L-., and fetches the sioord) 
• Oh, here it is. (J;o GRATTA^fo, tmtliout) Ui>cle, I must eome 

forth. 
Gra. {mthout). If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear , 

Thou hast no weaix>o, and perforce must suffer^ 
0th, Look in upon me, then, and speak to me, 
Or, naked as I am, i will assault shee, 

Enf^r Gratiajjo, r. » , with clraion sword, 

[exultingly) Behold ! 1 have a weapon : 

A better never did itself sustain 

Upon a soldier's thigh. I've seen the day, 

That, with this little arm, and this good sword, 

I've made ray way through more imjX!dimeBt& 

Than twenty times your stop. But, oh, vain boast f 

Who can control iiis fate 1 — tis not so now ^f• 

Bo you go back dismayed % 'Tis a lost fear :;^- 

Man but a rush against. Othello^s breast, 

And be retires. Where should Othello g& 1 • ( ^oes to the bed 

and moving curtain slightly aside) 
Now, bow dost thou look now 1 Oh, ill-starred wench I 
Pale as thy sheets ! When we shall meet at compt, 
This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven, 
And fiends will snatch at it. — Cold, cold, my girl. 
Even like thy chastity. Oh, cursed alave I 
Whip me, ye devils^ 

From the possession of this heavenly sight! 
Blow me about in winds ! roast me in sulphur ! 
Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire ! — 
Desdemona! Besdemona t dead? — Oh, oh, oh I {falls down 

by her.) 

* Emi. {wandering}. What ctid thy scmg TjcKJe, Tady t 

Hark, cans' t thou liear me ? I will p)ay the swart 
And die in muuic, {^mgvig fahdhj : " WiUow, willow^ Willow V^ Weaks 
eff abruptlif.) 

f Be not afraid though yo\t do sec iiK weapoit'd ; 
Here i.'^ my journey's end, here is my hutt 
And very sea-mavk of my utmost sail. 



68 OTHELLO. [act V. 



Enter Lodovico, r. d., Cassio, with Jiandkerchief hound round his 
leg, hrought in by Antonio and Julio. 

LoD. Where is this rash and most unfortunate man ? 
0th. That's he that was Othello— Here I am. 
LoD. Where is that viper 1 Bring the villain forth. 

Re-enter Montano with Iago, prisoner ; Marco and Paulo, l. 

0th. I look down towards his feet — ^but that's a fable ; 

If that thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee. (Othello wounds 
Iago.) 
LoD. Wrench his sword from him. (Montano disarms him.) 
Iago {sullenly, ii.). I bleed, sir, but am not killed. 
0th. I am not sorry neither ; I'd have thee live ; 

For, in my sense, 'tis happiness to die. 
LoD. O thou, Othello, that was once so good, 

Fallen in the practice of a cursed slave. 

What shall be said to thee % 
0th. Why, anything: 

An honorable murderer, if you will ; 

For naught did I in hate, but all in honor. 
LoD. This wretch hath part confessed his villainy : — 

Did you. and he consent in Cassio's death % 
0th. Ay ! 

Cas. Dear general, I never gave you cause. 
0th. I do believe it, and I ask your pardon. 

{to LoDovico) Will you, I piay, demand that demi-devil, 

Why he hath tlius ensnared my soul and body 1 
Iaoo. Demand me nothing 5 what you know you know ; 

From this time forth I never will speak word. 
0th, Well, thou dost best. 
LoD. Sir, you shall understand what hath befall'n, 

Which, as I think, you know not: — Here's a letter. 

Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo, 

And here, another ; the one of them imports 

The death of Cassio to be undertook 

By Roderigo. 
0th. 0, villain ! 

LoD. Now here's another discontented paper 

Found in his pocket, too ; and this, it seems, 

Ixoderigo meant to have sent this damned villain, 

But that, belike, Iago, in the interim, 

Came in, and satisfied him. 
Oth. Oh, the pernicious catifF! 

How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief 

That was my wife's % {pointing to the handkerchief on Cas- 
sio's leg) 
Cas. (r. c). I found it in my chamber; 

And lie iiiinself confessed but even now, 

That there he dropped it, for a special purpose, 

Which wrought to his desire. 
Oth. (l. c). fool ! fool! fool! {returns to the hed.) 

Cas. Tliere is, besides, in Roderigo's letter — 

How he ui)braids Iago, that he made him 

Brave me upon the watch ; whereon it came 



ACT v.] OTHELIiO. 69 

That I was cast j and e'en but now he spake, 

After long seeming dead — lago hurt him, 

lago set him on. 
LoD. {to Othello). You must forsake this room, and go with us ; 

Your power and your command are taken oflf, 

And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave — 

If there be any cunning cruelty 

That can torment him much, and hold him long, 

It shall be his : away with him. 

You shall close prisoner rest, 

Till that the nature of your fault be known 

To the Venetian state. Come, bring him away. 

[Exeunt Iago, Paulo, and Marco, l. 
0th. (c). Soft you — a word or two, before you go : — 

I have done the state some service, and they know it ; 

No more of that. I pray you, in your letters, 

When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, 

Speak of me as I am ; nothing extenuate, 

Nor set down aught in malice ; then must you speak 

Of one, that loved not wisely, but too well ; 

Of one, not easily jealous, but, being wrought, 

Perplexed in the extreme ; of one, whose hand, 
' Like the base Judean, threw a pearl away, 

Richer than all his tribe ; of one, whose subdued eyes, 

Albeit unused to the melting mood, 

Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees 

Their medicinal gum. Set you down this : 

And say, besides, — that in Aleppo once. 

Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk 

Smote a Venetian, and traduced the state, 

I took by the throat the circumcised dog, 

And smote him — thus ! (stabs himself) 

Oh, Desdemona ! (dies.)* 
Gas. This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon ; 

For he was great of heart. 
LoD. Gratiano, keep the house. 

And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor ; 

For they succeed to you To you, lord governor, 

Remains the censure of that hellisli villain : 

The time, the place, the torture. Oh, enforce it ! 

Myself will straight aboard ; and to the state 

This heavy act with heavy heart relate. 

Emilia (on couch). Gratiano. Julio. 

Cassio. Lodovico. Othello (i.. c, near hed). 

CURTAIN. 

* In the Baotlx version tlie termination is thus : 

LoD. O bloody period ! 

Gra. All that's spoke is marr'd. 

Oth. I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee : no way but this. 

Killing myself, to die upon a kiss, {dies.) 
Cas. This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon ; 

For he was great of heart, {the curtain falls.) 



DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS. 



Please notice that nearly all the Comedies, Farces and Comediettas in the following 
^ist of De Witt's Acting Plats" are very suitable for representation in small Amateur Thea- 
tres and on Parlor Stages, as they need but little extrinsic aid from complicated scenery or 
expensive costumes. They have attained their deserved popularity by their droll situations 
excellent plots, great humor and brilliant dialogues, no less than by the fact that they are the 
most perfect in every respect of any edition of plays ever published either in the United States 
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scenery, or elegance of typography and clearness of printing. 

*** In ordering please copy the figures at the commencement of each piece, which indicate 
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J ^° Any of the following Plays sent, postage free, on receipt of price — 15 
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Address, ROBERT M. DE WITT, 

JVo. 33 Itose Street y JVew TorJb. 
2^~ The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of 
Acts. The figures in the columns indicate the number of characters — M. male ; 
F. femak. 



No. 

75. 
114. 
167. 

93. 

40. 

89. 
192. 
166. 

41. 
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67. 

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25. 

24. 
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69. 
175. 

55. 

80. 

65. 

68. 

76. 
149. 
121. 
107. 
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52. 
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118. 
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Afirienne, drama, 3 acts 7 

Anything for a Change, comedy, 1 3 

Apple Blossoms, comedy, 3 acts 7 

Area Belle (The), farce, 1 act 3 

Atchi, comedietta, 1 act 3 

Aunt Charlotte's Maid, farce. 1 act. . 3 
Game of Cards (A), comedietta, 1 3 
Bardell vs. Pickwick, sketch, 1 act. 6 

Beaatifiil Forever, farce, 1 act 2 

Bells (The), drama, 3 acts 9 

Birthplace of Podgers, farce, 1 act . . 7 

Black Sheep, drama, 3 acts 7 

Blow for Blow, drama, 4 acts 11 

Bonnie Fish Wife, farce, 1 act 3 

Breach of Promise,, drama, 2 acts. . 5 
Broken-Hearted Club, comedietta, 1 4 

Cabman, No. 93, farce, 1 act 2 

Caste, comedy, 3 acts 5 

Caught by the Caff, farce, 1 act. .... 4 
Cast upon the World, drama, 5 acts. 10 
Catharine Howard, historical play, 

3 acts 12 

Charming pair, farce, 1 act 4 

Checkmate, comedy, 2 acts 6 

Chevalier de St. George, drama, 3 9 
Chops of the Channel, farce, 1 act. 3 

Clouds, comedy, 4 acts 8 

Comical Countess, farce, 1 act: 3 

Cupboard Love, farce, 1 act 2 

Cupid's Eye-Glass, comedy, 1 act... 1 

Cup of Tea, comedietta, 1 act 3 

Cut off with a Shilling, comedietta, 

1 act 2 

Cyrill's Success, comedy, 5 acts 10 

Captain of the Watch (The), come- 
dietta, 1 act 4 

Daddy Gray, drama, 3 acts 8 

Dandelion's Dodges, farce, 1 act 4 

David Garrick, comedy, 3 acts 8 

'Nearest Mamma, comedietta, 1 act, 4 
'arer than Life, drama, 3 acts. ... 6 

lorah (Leah) drama, 3 acts 7 

foot, farce, 1 act 5 

for the Best, drama, 2 acts. . 5 
and Cents, comedy, 3 acts. . 9 



r. 


No. 


3 


21. 


3 


186. 


3 


47. 


2 


13 5. 


2 


200. 


3 


103. 


1 


9. 


2 




3 


128. 


3 


101. 


3 


99. 


5 


145. 


6 


102. 


1 


88. 


2 


74. 


8 


53. 


2 


73. 


3 


30. 


1 




5 


131. 




28. 


5 


151. 


3 


8. 


5 


180. 


3 


19. 


2 


60. 


7 


187. 


1 


174. 


1 


64. 


1 


190. 


1 


191. 




197. 


1 


18. 


4 






116. 


2 




4 


129. 


2 


159. 


3 


122. 


3 


177. 


5 


100. 


6 


139. 


1 


17. 


3 


86. 


4 


72. 



_ , M. F. 

Dreams, drama, 5 acts 6 3 

Duchess de la Valliere, play, 5 acts.! 6 4 

Easy Shaving, farce, 1 act 5 2 

Everybody's Friend, comedy, 3 acts', 6 5 

Estranged, an operetta, 1 act 2 1 

Faust aud Marguerite, drama, 3 acts, 9 7 
Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials, 

interlude, 1 act 4 1 

Female Detective, drama, 3 acts'. '. ! .'ll 4 

Fernande, drama, 3 acts 11 10 

Fifth Wheel, comedy, 3 acts 10 2 

First Love, comedy, 1 act 4 1 

Foiled, drama. 4 acts 93 

Founded on Facts, farce, 1 act.'. .42 

Garrick Fever, farce, 1 act 7 4 

Gertrude's Money Box, farce, 1 act. 4 2 
Golden Fetter (Fettered), drama, 3 11 4 
Goose with the Golden Eggs, farce, 

1 act 5 3 

Go to Putney, farce, 1 act 4 3 

Happy Pair, comedietta, 1 act. . . . 1 1 

Hard Case (A), farce, 1 act 2 

Henry Dunbar, drama, 4 acts 10 3 

Henry the Fifth, historical play, 5 38 5 

He's a Lunatic, farce, 1 act 3 2 

Hidden Hand, drama, 4 acts 5 5 

His Own Enemy, farce, 1 act 4 1 

Home, comedy, 3 acts 4 3 

Household Fairy, sketch, 1 act 1 1 

Hunting the Slipper, farce, 1 act .... 4 1 

High C, comedietta, 1 act 4 2 

Hunchback (The), play, 5 acts 14 2 

If I Had a Thousand a Year, farce, 

1 act 4 3 

I'm Not Mesilf at All, original Irish 

stew, 1 act 3 2 

In for a Holiday, farce, 1 act 2 3 

In the Wrong House, farce, 1 act. . . 4 2 

Isabella Orsiiii, drama, 4 acts. . . 11 4 

I Shall Invite the Major, comedy, 14 1 

Jack Long, drama, 2 acts 9 2 

Joy is Dangerous, comedy, 2 acts. . . 3 3 

Kind to a Fault, comedy, 2 acts 6 4 

Lady of Lyons, play, 5 acts 12 5 

Lame Excuse, farce, 1 act 4 2 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




No. 

144. Lancashire Lass, melodrama, 5 acts. 12 3 

34. Larkins' Love Letters, farce, 1 act.. 3 2 

137. L' Article 47, drama, 3 acts 11 5 

111. Liar (The), comedy, 2 acts ; . . 7 2 

119. Life Chase, drama, 5 acts 14 5 

165. Living Statue (The), farce, 1 act. ... 3 2 

48. Little Annie's Birthday, farce, 1 act. 2 4 

32. Little Rebel, farce, 1 act 4 3 

164. Little Ruby, drama, 3 acts 6 6 

109. Locked In, comedietta, 1 act 2 2 

85. Locked In with a Lady, sketch, 1 act. 1 1 

87. Locked Out, comic scene 1 2 

143. Lodgers and Dodgers, farce, 1 act.. 4 2 

189. Leap Year, musical duality, 1 act. . . 1 1 

163. Marcoretti, drama, 3 acts 10 3 

154. Maria and Magdalena, play, 4 acts . 8 6 
63. Marriage at Any Price, fai'ce, 1 act. 5 3 
39. Master Jones' Birthday, farce, 1 act. 4 2 

7. Maud's Peril, drama, 4 acts 5 3 

49. Midnight Watch, drama, 1 act 8 2 

15. Milky White, drama, 2 acts 4 2 

46. Miriam's Crime, drama, 3 acts 5 2 

51. Model of a Wife, farce, 1 act 3 2 

184. Money, comedy, 5 acts 17 3 

108. Mr. Scroggins, farce, 1 act 3 3 

188. Mr. X., farce, 1 act 3 3 

169. My Uncle's Suit, farce, 1 act 4 1 

130. My Wife's Diary, farce, 1 act 3 1 

92. My Wife's Out, farce, 1 act 2 2 

193. My Walking Photograph, musical 

duality, 1 act 1 1 

140. Never Reckon Your Chickens, etc., 

farce, 1 act 3 4 

115. New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 5 

2. Nobody's Child, drama, 3 acts 8 3 

57. Noemie, drama, 2 acts 4 4 

104. No Name, drama, 5 acts 7 5 

112. Not a Bit Jealous, farce, 1 act 3 3 

185. Not So Bad as We Seem, play, 5 acts. 14 3 
84. Not Guilty, drama, 4 acts 10 6 

117. Not Such a Fool as He Looks, drama, 

3 acts 5 4 

171. Nothing Like Paste, farce, 1 act 3 1 

14. No Tiioroughfare, drama, 5 acts and 

prologue 13 6 

173. Oif the Stage, comedietta, 1 act 3 3 

176. On Bread and Water, farce, 1 act. . . 1 2 

90. Only a Halfpenny, farce, 1 act 2 2 

170. Only Somebody, farce, 1 act 4 2 

33. One too Many for Him, farce, 1 act. 2 3 

3. £100,000, c(?medy, 3 acts 8 4 

97. Orange Blo.-soms, comedietta, 1 act. 3 3 
66. Orange Girl, drama, in prologue 

and 3 acts 18 4 

172. Ours, comedy, 3 acts 6 3 

94. Our Clerks, farce, 1 act 7 5 

45. Our Domestics, comedy farce, 2 acts 6 6 

155. Our Heroes, military play. 5 acts. . .24 5 
178. Out at Sea, drama in prologue and 

4 acts 16 5 

147. Overland Route, comedy, 3 acts 11 5 

156. Peace at Any Price, farce, 1 act 1 1 

82. Peep o' Day, drama, 4 acts 12 4 

12?. Peggy Green, farce, 1 act 3 10 

23. Petticoat Parliament, extravaganza, 

in one act 15 24 

62. Photographic Fix, farce, 1 act 3 2 

A COMPLETE 




Iju. ToppIetoiPsPredicaments, farce, 1 3 

50, Porter's Knot, drama, 2 acts 8 

59. Post Boy, drama, 2 acts 5 

95. Prettj- Horse-Breaker, farce, 1 act.. 3 

181 and 182. Queen Mary, drama, 4 acts.38 

157. Quite at Home, comedietta, 1 act. . . 5 
196. Queerest Courtship (The), comic op- 
eretta, 1 act 1 

132. Race for a Dinner, farce, 1 act 10 

183. Richelieu, play, 5 acts 16 

38. Rightful Heir, drama, 5 acts 10 

77. Roll of the Drum, drama, 3 acts 8 

13. Ruy Bias, drama, 4 acts 12 

194. Rum, drama, 3 acts 7 

195. Rosemi Shell, travesty, 1 act, 4 

scenes 6 

158. School, comedy, 4 acts 6 

79. Sheep in Wolf's Clothing, drama, 1 7 

37. Silent Protector, farce, 1 act 3 

35. Silent Woman, farce, 1 act 2 

43. Sisterly Service, comedietta, 1 act.. 7 
6. Six Months Ago, comedietta, 1 act. 2 

10. Snapping Turtles, duologue, 1 act. . 1 

26. Society, comedy, 3 acts 16 

78. Special Performances, farce, 1 act. . 7 
31. Taming a Tiger, farce, 1 act 3 

150. Tell-Tale Hcitrt, comedietta, 1 act 1 
120. Tempest in a Teapot, comedy, 1 act. 2 
146. There's no Smoke Without Fire, 

comedietta, 1 act 1 

83. Thrice Married, personation piece, 

lact 6 

42. Time and the Hour, drama, 3 acts. . 7 

27. Time and Tide, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue 7 

133. Timothy to the Rescue, farce, 1 act. 4 
153. 'Tis Better to Live than to Die, 

farce, 1 act 2 

134. Tompkins the Troubadour, farce, 1 3 
2^). Turning the Tables, farce, 1 act 5 

168. Tweedie's Rights, comedy, 2 acts.. 4 

126. Twice Killed, farce, 1 act 6 

56. Two Gay Deceivers, farce, 1 act 3 

123. Two Polls, fa^'ce, 1 act 4 

198. Twin Sisters (The), comic operetta, 

1 act 3 

162. Uncle's Will, comedietta, 1 act 2 

106. Up for the Cattle Show, farce, 1 act. 6 
81. Vandyke Brown, farce, 1 act 3 

124. Volunteer Review, farce, 1 act 6 

91. Walpole, comedy, 3 acts 7 

118. Wanted, a Young Lady, farce, 1 act. 3 

44. War to the Knife, comedy, 3 acts. . . 5 4 
105. Which ofthe Two? comedietta, lact 2 10 




98. Who is Who? farce, 1 act 3 

12. Widow Hunt, comedy, 3 acts 4 

5. William Tell with a Vengeance, 

burlesque 

136. Woman in Red, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue 6 

161. Woman's Vows and Mason's Oaths, 

4 acts 10 

11. Woodcock's Little Game, farce, 2 4 
54. Young Collegian (Cantab.), farce, 1 3 

DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGF 



2 

4 

8 2 



DE W^ITT'S ACTING PLAYS AND PE WIT 

ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS ^ containing Plot, Costume, F- 

Time of Representation and every other information, mailed free and post paid. 

ROBERT M. DE WIIT, 33 Rose Street, \ 



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